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 | [email protected])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 | [email protected])Flags flutter in the wind outside the city of Edinburg Memorial Day ceremonies on Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Dolia Gonzalez, mother of Edinburg war hero Alfredo “Freddy” Gonzalez, attends the city of Edinburg Memorial Day ceremonies on Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium in Edinburg. Freddy was killed in Hue, Vietnam on Feb. 4, 1968. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Jorge Buenrostro of the Marine Corps League of the Rio Grande Valley Detachment #1456, observes the flags before the start of the 17th annual Memorial Day Commemorative ceremonies on Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Violet Alcocer, 6, wears a shirt in honor of Army Spc. Mark Anthony Zapata during the city of Edinburg Memorial Day ceremonies on Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium in Edinburg. Zapata died on Aug. 15, 2004, while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Alondra Gonzalez and Elva Valle distribute flags at the 17th annual Memorial Day Commemorative Ceremony at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium on Friday, May 24, 2024, in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Polo Garza of the Marine Corps League of the Rio Grande Valley Detachment #1456, bows his head during the 17th annual Memorial Day Commemorative ceremonies at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium on Friday, May 24, 2024, in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])The Battlefield Cross placed by the Edinburg High JROTC Honor Guard is seen on the stage during the city of Edinburg Memorial Day ceremonies on Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])
