Retired Sgt. Maj. Bill Paxton salutes a fellow Marine drill instructor, William Hayley, who died in 2011. Photo by Chris Stone
As retired Sgt. Maj. Bill Paxton walked Sunday through Miramar National Cemetery, he spotted an old friend.
“I want you to see my friend,” he said, leading a visitor down a row of headstones.
Veterans came to Miramar National Cemetery to pay tribute to their fellow servicemen and families. Photo by Chris Stone
“We were drill instructors together,” Paxton said. “I didn’t even know he died,” referring to William Hayley, buried six years ago.
The retired Marine went on to recall their time together in drill instructor school and their tours together in Vietnam. Hayley was a good Marine, he said.
Paxton, the San Diego County Veteran of the Year in 2005, was one of hundreds of veterans and families who joined the cemetery’s fifth annual Memorial Day ceremony to honor fallen military members and their families.
Paxton and fellow veterans listened to music and speeches and exchanged information about their years of service.
“We’re giving our buddies who didn’t come back the respect that is due to them,” said Andre Chappaz, 90, who served in the Pacific as an Army engineer.
“It’s an occasion to meet other veterans and share the times because the war times you will never forget; it’s part of your life.”
Another veteran, retired Army Col. Marvin Muskat, 96, said the ceremony “helps inside.”
Retired Col. Marvin Muskat, 96, (left) and Andre Chappaz, 90, stand when the U.S. Army is honored. Photo by Chris Stone
“I was in the Army for 39 years, serving my country all the way from private to colonel, he said. “My heart is with this country; everything I do is for this country. I’m so proud of this country and proud of what the people can do in this country.”
Walking among the gravestones, he paid a visit to his late wife, Norma, a Holocaust survivor.
Maj. Gen. Joesph M. Martin, commanding general for the Army National Training Center at Fort Irwin, said: “In every war in our history, it is often those left behind who struggle to understand the loss of their loved ones.
“We, who are the heirs of their legacy, must always be he guardians of their dreams and the guarantors of the security of the same nation they swore to defend.”
Earlier, San Diego County Veteran of the Year Ed Berger said, “The real heroes are those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. The real heroes wore dog tags.”
Lynette Harmon of Temecula came to the service to honor her father, who served in World War II, and her grandfather, who fought with the Union Army during the Civil War. Her husband fought in Vietnam.
Harmon, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, said that involvement has “brought me closer to understand my background and family and other people who are grieving and remembering the fallen.”
“It’s an emotional time.”
Ed Berger, San Diego County Veteran of the Year, spoke at the Memorial Day ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
Dennis A. Schoville, president and CEO of the Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation, speaks at the Memorial Day ceremony. Photo by Chris stone
Retired Army engineer Andre Chappaz, 90, places a carnation at a grave after the ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
A wife leaves a heartfelt message at her husband’s grave. Photo by Chris Stone
Flowers were placed by the grave sites at Miramar National Cemetery. Photo by Chris Stone
A Navy veteran walks through the cemetery after the ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
A veteran of the 101st Army Airborne Division Screaming Eagles attended the memorial Day ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
The 40th Infantry Division Band performed at the ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
A veteran sits in the quiet cemetery after the ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
U.S. and Marine Corps flags wave at a serviceman’s headstone. Photo by Chris Stone
Three former prisoners of war attended the Miramar Cemetery ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
Frank Burger, 98, a veteran who served in the Army Air Corps and U.S. Air Force, listens to a speech. Photo by Chris Stone
A retired Marine salutes and the Marine hymn is played. Photo by Chris Stone
Bagpiper John Forrest plays “Amazing Grace” at the end of the ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
A veteran plays taps at the end of the ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
A woman leaves a carnation at a gravesite. Photo by Chris Stone
Retired Sgt. Maj. Bill Paxton salutes as veterans in the U.S. Marine Corps are honored. Photo by Chris Stone
Maria Matic and her daughter, Eva, visit the grave of Maria’s husband, Brandon, who died in 2013. Photo by Chris Stone
A veteran salutes during the showing of the colors. Photo by Chris Stone
The 40th Infantry Division Band performed at the ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
Retired Navy officer Gil Nadeau speaks with Seaman Andrew Roysdon, who has been in the Navy for a year. Photo by Chris Stone
Kyoko Benlow, whose husband, John, recently was interred at Miramar Cemetery, talked about what a great man he was and how much she misses him. He served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Photo by Chris Stone
Retired Col. Marvin Muskat, 96, stands near his late wife’s grave. Norma Muskat was a Holocaust survivor who died in 2012. Photo by Chris Stone
Retired Sgt. Maj. Bill Paxton salutes a fellow Marine drill instructor, William Hayley, who died in 2011. Photo by Chris Stone
Maj. Gen. Joseph M. Martin, commanding general at Army National Training Center at Fort Irwin, spoke to veterans and families. Photo by Chris Stone
Gil Nadeau, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-54 (left) and retired Army engineer Andre Chappaz, 90, listen to a speech. Photo by Chris Stone
Attendees rise for the national anthem. Photo by Chris Stone
Ed Davidson, 92 (left), and Frank Burger, 98, both served in the Army Air Corp and Air Force. Photo by Chris Stone
Retired Col. Marvin Muskat, 96, (left) and Andre Chappaz, 90, stand when the U.S. Army is honored. Photo by Chris Stone
Veterans came to Miramar National Cemetery to pay tribute to their fellow servicemen and families. Photo by Chris Stone
