EDINBURG — More than 100 veterans, city leaders and community members attended the city of Edinburg’s Memorial Day Commemorative Ceremony Friday. Attendees watched tributes, musical performances and a moment of silence amid a sea of flags honoring fallen veterans. The whole crowd stood as Giuliani Garcia of Robert Vela High School, 17, played taps.
The ceremony brought the community together to remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the country. Special invitations were extended to families of the 90 fallen heroes from Edinburg, whose loved ones’ courage and dedication were reverently acknowledged.
The event paid tribute to the city’s fallen heroes from World War I to the present who gave their lives for freedom.
Julian Rodriguez Ortega from Post 37 looks down at the Memorial Day Commemorative ceremonies program before the start of Memorial Day events Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)Veterans attending the city of Edinburg Memorial Day ceremony salute the flag during the playing of taps by Giuliani Garcia, 17, from Robert Vela High School on Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)Flags flutter in the wind outside the City of Edinburg’s Memorial Day ceremonies at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium Friday , May 24, 2024 in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)Dolia Gonzalez, mother of Edinburg war hero, Alfredo “Freddy” Gonzalez attends the Memorial Day ceremonies at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium Friday , May 24, 2024 in Edinburg. Freddy was killed in action in Hue City, Vietnam, on February 4, 1968. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)Jorge Buenrostro with Marine Corps League of the RGV detachment 1456, checks the flags before the start of the 17th Annual Memorial Day Commemorative Ceremony at the City of Edinburg Municipal Auditorium Friday May 24, 2024 in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)Violet Alcocer, 6, wears a shirt with Army Spc. Mark Anthony Zapata during the 17th Annual Memorial Day ceremonies at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium Friday , May 24, 2024 in Edinburg. Army Spc. Mark Anthony Zapata died August 15, 2004 while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)Alondra Gonzalez and Elva Valle distribute flags at the 17th Annual Memorial Day Commemorative Ceremony the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium Friday , May 24, 2024 in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)Polo Garza with Marine Corps League of the RGV detachment1456 bows his head during the 17th Annual Memorial Day Commemorative Ceremonies at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium Friday May 24, 2024 in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)The Battlefield Cross placed by the Edinburg High JROTC Honor Guard seen on the stage during the Memorial Day ceremonies at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium Friday May 24, 2024 in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)
