Menifee Honors Fallen Heroes in Memorial Day Ceremony

Keynote speaker Christopher Proctor of VFW Post 1956 holds his granddaughter while saluting the flag with members of Cub Scout Pack 374, the color guard. Mayor Pro Tem John Denver is behind Proctor. Menifee 24/7 photos: Kristen and Doug Spoon

Service members who died in the line of duty were honored today in a Memorial Day ceremony at Wheatfield Park in Menifee.

Gathered near the city's Veterans Memorial, residents and veterans listened to Mayor Pro Tem John Denver and keynote speaker Commander Christopher Proctor of VFW Post 1956. Rebecca Valdez sang the national anthem and Cub Scout Pack 374 served as color guard.

Proctor told the audience the story of a friend in the military who was killed in action soon after helping a young girl in Afghanistan get the medical help she needed for a broken leg.

"When I think of Memorial Day, it's these values and our troops today doing things like helping a stranger that embodies what Memorial Day is all about," Proctor said. "Helping those in need to preserve democracy and our way of life around the world.

"Today as we remember those who came before and those who didn't come here, take a moment today to remember our friends, neighbors, relatives. This touches everybody. Remember them today and the sacrifices they made."

Proctor also explained the significance of an empty table setting placed in honor of POWs and MIAs around the world. An empty chair stood next to a table with a red rose in a vase, a lit candle and a table setting waiting for those who haven't come home.

Chaplain Kathleen Harrison of VFW Post 1956 gave the invocation. Those in attendance were then encouraged to pay their respects at the Veterans memorial, which includes bricks lining the area with the names of those who have served our country.

Twins Kyle and Ace Sandvig came to support their brother Evan, who was part of the Cub Scout Pack 374 color guard.