Seal Beach paused today, Monday, May 25, to remember fallen members of the armed forces, those who did not return home to their families, during Memorial Day ceremonies at Eisenhower Park and at the Naval Weapons Station. Council members David Sloan and Mike Varipapa attended the Eisenhower Park event. Mayor Ellery Deaton attended the event at the Navy base.
Commander Erik L. Franzen, executive officer of the Navy base, spoke of the faces he sees—comrades in arms he had known—he gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
SoundFX, the Los Alamitos High School choir, perfermed the National Anthem and a medly of U.S. armed forces songs. Seal Beach Police Joe Stilinovich described the choir’s rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” as one of the most stirring he had ever heard. The audience applauded.
The Young Marines presented and retired the colors.
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, 48th District, spoke about the soldiers who battled the evils of Nazi Germany during World War II, Communism during the Cold War and the current fight against what he called a fanatical version of Islam.
