El Pasoans Celebrate Memorial Day; Honor Fallen Soldiers

EL PASO — Monday was abeautiful day to honor our nation’s heroes and hundreds filed into local parks andFort Bliss National Cemetery to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

At the Bliss cemetery, hundreds of flags adorned the graves of fallen American soldiers laid to rest. Families and friends gathered very early at the cemetery to honor the memories of fallen colleagues and relatives.

“These people [buried] here, they did a very big sacrifice for us,” said Roberto Carbajal, “Freedom is not cheap.” Carbajal told ABC-7 several family members were buried at the cemetery.

Others present at the cemetery said the attitude towards military members has changed in the last few decades and Memorial Day was a perfect example. “Thank God it’s not like it used to be during the Vietnam War when soldiers were not appreciated. It was a very ugly war, very unpopular,”said Hugo Clemente. “Nowadays, people take the time to thank veterans — even when they see them out in the street — and that’s very important.”

Clemente is a veteran who served in the Vietnam War.

Memorial day celebrations were clearly visible throughout the city and county. Out in Horizon City, flags adorned the medians near Darrington and Highweed.

In west El Paso, many fired up the grill at nearby parks to honor America’s heroes.”It means a lot to me, considering my father made it back. But for the ones that didn’t, I give them thanks for what they have done for us. Theygave their lives,” said Raymond Avila. “It’s also an opportunity to thank the soldiers that are out there in Iraq and Afghanistan giving up their freedom for us.”

One by one, smallflags went up along Mesa Street in the West Side. “Memorial day just means, remembering veterans that we’ve lost, and the people that are fighting for our freedom,” said Luke Martin,the president of the Future Farmers of America’s Chapter at Coronado High.

The group of students spent the morning putting up American flags at businesses who along with these teens wanted to display their observance for Memorial Day. “We’re supporting our troops, and this is the best way to get out there, and let ourselves be known,” said Bryanna Diller.

Each flag put upMonday carriedspecial meaning for the group of students. It wasthat sense of patriotism that gavethem the energy to line the sides along Mesa with thered,white and blue.

“I think it’s very nice for people to remember our troops,” said Diller. “It’s a great way to remember them those who fought for our freedom.”

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