Hundreds of people saluted the flag and listened to patriotic speeches and songs at the Memorial Day ceremony at Miller's Chapel in Visalia. World War Two veteran Cecil Jones, says, "It was beautiful and very emotional, too."
Stars and stripes adorned the Visalia District Cemetery on Monday. 40 large flags lined one pathway. Three thousand smaller ones were used to mark each veteran's grave. Many who took part in Monday's ceremony say honoring those who have served and those we've lost—is personal.
Marine Corps veteran, Larry Cook, says "I lost my brother in World War Two and then I was in the Marine Corps. The veteran's thing means something to me to come and see this and participate and to help with it. It is really great."
Flags were also waving at this year's Memorial Day parade in Farmersville. People lined the streets to watch law enforcement, the Farmersville High School marching band and young baton twirlers show their support for those serving overseas.
Diana Walker, Farmersville, says, "It's really just about showing our support that we're here for them just as they are there for us."
The parade is a long-standing tradition in the Farmersville community.
Farmersville Police Chief Mario Krstic says, "It's something that's been going on for a number of years and this is my 12th year being here with the police department. The parade is also the only one in Tulare County so it's something that is very special to folks here."
This morning's rainy weather caused organizers to only put up 40 of these large, weather-proof American flags. Normally, there are 1,500 large flags lining the streets here, many are donated from families of fallen veterans.
