Sunrise ceremony held at Woodward Park to honor soldiers on Memorial Day

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- People across the country are spending this Memorial Day honoring our fallen heroes-- including right here in the Central Valley.

"It links together all the veterans, men and women, who have served in our nation's wars and continue to do so," said Paul Kaser, Vietnam Veterans of America CH 933.

The Memorial Day service at sunrise held in Woodward Park started with our nation's song of remembrance.

Dozens listened as organizers shared why this is a day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, even reading some of their lost letters.

"That's really their words and when you hear how badly they wanted to come home and start a life and they never got the chance-- its hard to get through some of those letters, but those voices have to be heard," said Kaser.

The Vietnam Veterans of America have been putting on this event for 30 years and say this is just one way to honor their fallen brothers and sister.

Woodward Park also holds two monuments placed by CH 933. One for the fallen, the other to friends and family who supported them when they came home.

"Like many veterans, for years I didn't say much about the war. I didn't say much about my service," said Kaser.

Air Force veteran Kaser served in the Vietnam War.

"I had a pretty good support system. Some other guys didn't and they just faded away and went into isolation and that was very had for a lot of guys and women too."

Kaser said they plan to continue the ceremony at sunrise tradition through future generations.