NEWMAN — More than 900 American flags and crosses stood across the grounds of Hills Ferry Cemetery on Monday as the Westside community gathered for a Memorial Day ceremony honoring local veterans, fallen service members and the families who continue to carry their memories forward.

Rows of flags marking the graves of veterans created a solemn backdrop as veterans, families, local leaders and residents came together to pause, reflect and remember the men and women whose service helped protect the freedoms Americans live under today.

Vietnam veteran and Joseph G. Rose VFW Post 7635 Commander Mel Soares Jr. opened the ceremony by reminding attendees that the veterans buried around them were not just names on markers, but people who helped shape the Westside community. “Over 900 soldiers are buried here around us,” Soares said. “Some were killed in action, some returned bearing the scars of war. Most returned home and resumed their lives. They were our parents, our employers, teachers, farmers, politicians.”

Soares said many of those veterans and their spouses helped build the local veterans posts and auxiliaries that continue to serve the community. He also remembered George Medeiros, the community’s last World War II veteran, who died last Thursday. “We were blessed to have him for a good long time, and he will be missed,” he said.

Manuel M. Lopes American Legion Post Commander Johnatan Huntley spoke about the deeper meaning of Memorial Day and the responsibility that comes with remembering those who gave everything for their country. “Memorial Day isn’t just a normal day on the calendar. It is a sacred day,” Huntley said. “It is a celebration, but it is also a commitment… to honor the cost of freedom.” He noted that American service members carried the flag through some of the most difficult places in the world, from the trenches of World War I and the beaches of Normandy to the jungles of Vietnam and the deserts of the Middle East.

Gustine Mayor Pat Nagy, also a Vietnam veteran, said Memorial Day remains deeply personal to him and must continue to be honored by future generations. Americans, he said, owe a debt to those who fought to protect the nation. “We all owe something to our forefathers, because our land is the greatest land in the world,” Nagy said. He thanked the VFW, American Legion, local dignitaries and community members for attending, saying their presence underscored the importance of keeping Memorial Day traditions alive.

Newman City Councilman Mathew Harden said the ceremony was about honoring veterans, their families and the sacrifices made on behalf of the entire community. Speaking on behalf of the council and as a resident, Harden said Memorial Day is a time for gratitude and reflection. “Some came home with stories, some with lasting scars, and some gave everything,” he said. Harden also announced that veterans service office support is now available in Newman, allowing local veterans and families to access services without traveling to Modesto. “We’re all one family,” he said.

Merced County Supervisor Lloyd Pareira directed his remarks to the young people in attendance, urging them to understand the seriousness of military service. He noted that when someone joins the military, they make a commitment without knowing what the final cost may be — whether four years, 20 years or their life. “When you see these crosses and these flags here, that’s 900 people that joined the military, knowing that someday they could be giving their life for their country,” Pareira said.

Pareira encouraged youth to stay alert, seek truth and appreciate the freedoms protected by veterans’ sacrifices. He closed by challenging the community to increase participation in local veterans events, especially the Veterans Day parade and ceremony in November.

As the ceremony concluded, the more than 900 flags and crosses remained standing across Hills Ferry Cemetery — each one representing a life of service and a connection to the community. Together, they served as a reminder that Memorial Day is more than a holiday. It is a promise to remember, to honor and to carry forward the stories of those who served so their sacrifices are never forgotten.