South Florida Communities Pay Tribute to Fallen Veterans on Memorial Day

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Written By Angela Angela

 

 

 

 

 

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – On Memorial Day, millions of people across the country honored those who died for our freedom.

In South Florida, communities joined in patriotic ceremonies to remember our fallen heroes.

One ceremony on Monday was at Donnith H. Fletcher Park in Pembroke Pines. This annual event honored the men and women who died defending our country.

“Memorial Day should be about those people that gave their lives for the country,” said veteran Joel Dokson.

Veteran Teddy Pomerantz agreed. “It’s not a big holiday to go out and party. It’s about reflecting on our fallen heroes,” he said.

Members of the city’s fire and police departments, residents, and elected leaders attended to honor those who sacrificed for our freedom.

“It is a sad day because we miss them and know they will come no more,” said Pembroke Pines Vice Mayor Thomas Good Jr., a Navy veteran.

During the ceremony, Vietnam veterans received special thanks, and carnations were placed on a wreath to honor the dead.

Dokson found the ceremony “very moving” and said, “A lot of the speeches were very heartfelt.”

Other tributes were held in Coral Springs, Key West, and Miami Beach.

For some, Memorial Day is personal. Eric Solomon, visiting Miami Beach with his daughters, said his family has a long line of military members. “It’s about reflecting and remembering them and the great things they did for the country,” Solomon said.

While the holiday is for remembering the dead, some also honor the living. Urell Barrett, walking Ocean Drive with family, visited his uncle in Fort Lauderdale. His uncle, Jerry Pinchinat, a Haitian-American Navy man, is a source of pride for the family.

“It means a lot for the United States, not just me,” Barrett said.

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