SANFORD, Fla. – Residents, city and county leaders, first responders and veterans all came out to the city of Sanford’s Memorial Day ceremony to honor and remember our nation’s heroes.
Retired Lieutenant Col. Wayne Fogel with the Army is a veteran who served in tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. For him, there is a lot of emotion behind Memorial Day.
“You know, there’s a lot of memories of friends who are close enough to be called family members,” Fogel said. “So it’s a very important day to pause and reflect and remember those that did so much for us.”
He said he hopes people remember the significance of the holiday.
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“I hope people take away a sense of importance of the day itself, remembrance of those that gave so much and just, you know, a closer connection with the community and the military community here in the city of Sanford,” Fogel said.
This year, the city of Sanford added a new element to the ceremony called Heroes’ Avenue. People got the chance to see several police, fire and military vehicles and learn about the parts they play and the people who operate them.
“It’s an honor to see that expansion,” said Sanford Police Captain and United States Army Reserves veteran Peter Justiniano. “So obviously, this is a remembrance ceremony. But we also want to keep in mind those who continue to serve daily in uniform, whether it’s in law enforcement or in the armed forces.”
Sanford resident and United States Army veteran Christopher Jackson said Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for him.
“I just take the day out to observe those that have given the ultimate sacrifice,” Jackson said. “Honoring my father, who passed away in 1969 in the Vietnam War. So, you know, today is a special day where just we just remember.”
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