The Memorial Day Service at Forest Lawn began under cloudy and intermittently rainy skies but as it got underway, the sun broke through
and the 40 to 50 people in attendance were able to hear Seattle Opera Mezzo-Soprano Melissa Plagemann sing the "Star Spangled Banner" and American Legion Post #160 Commander Chris Shea speak.

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Shea talked about his own service in the Navy as a submariner, about America, and about the meaning of service.

As the service took place, many people came to the cemetary to honor loved ones, some who never served in the military, some who did.
Adjutant Commander of Post #160 Walton E. Delong said, "I'm a retired Navy man, and my father was in the First World War, my brother was in the Second World War another brother served too," and he emphasized his family had indeed served their country. Leroy Bernard, also of Post #160 said, "This is a great day for all of us."

Pam Thompson was there to honor her father, Howard Bell, It also happened to be his birthday. She said, "He was in both the Army and the Navy, he did both services," fighting in World War II and Korea.

Plagemann also sang "America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America" to close out the service.