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A somber Memorial Day ceremony at Los Angeles National Cemetery

Meryle Moroney, left, hugs her mother Ruth, as they visit the remains of her father Carl, who died in November 2022
Ruth Moroney, right, visits the grave of her husband, Carl, with daughter Meryle. He died in November 2022. The Moroneys were married for more than 65 years.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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The Los Angeles National Cemetery hosted its first public Memorial Day event since 2019, after halting for the pandemic. The community streamed through the rolling lawns of white headstones to honor loved ones and other veterans.

Jack Knight, 85, who served four years in the Army, returns to the cemetery every Memorial Day, singing a song he wrote, “Hero in My Eyes,” to visitors.

The program also included remarks by Maj. Gen. Evan Dertian, commander of the Air Force Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, music by the 300th Army Band and historical reenactments.

Jack Knight, 85, who served four years in the Army, walks through Los Angeles National Cemetery, in Los Angeles, CA.
Jack Knight, 85, an Army veteran, walks through Los Angeles National Cemetery on Memorial Day.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Mounted Buffalo Soldiers deliver the presentation of colors, before the start of a Memorial Day ceremony
Mounted buffalo soldiers deliver the presentation of colors before the Memorial Day ceremony.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
A visitor stops to take a picture.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Some visitors left flowers.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Virginia Morrow, from Long Beach, visits the remains of her husband of 48 years and retired Marine, Albert, on Memorial Day
“He is so missed. I never thought I’d miss someone so much,” Virginia Morrow of Long Beach said of Albert, her late husband. They were married 48 years.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
A young girl tries to fit her shirt over the top of a headstone on Memorial Day, at the Los Angeles National Cemetery
A young girl at the cemetery.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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