Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) joined veterans and their families on Memorial Day to honor our nation's fallen service men and women at the Downey Cemetery's Annual Memorial Day Tribute Ceremony. During the program, the congresswoman read the names of soldiers from Los Angeles communities who lost their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq since March of 2003. The ceremony also included a wreath laying, a gun salute by the American Legion Post 723, and the playing of Taps.

The following is the full text of the congresswoman's remarks:
"It is a privilege to be here with Downey City Mayor Meredith Perkins, Council Members Kirk Cartozian and David Gafin, and members of our community to honor the brave men and women who throughout our nation's history have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country and our democratic way of life. Memorial Day is also a day in which our hearts, prayers, and thanks go to the families and those who have suffered the loss of a son, a daughter, a husband, a wife, a grandchild, or dear friend. Our fallen heroes are constant reminders that freedom is not free. Even today, as we gather for this day of remembrance, our country is at war. And since March of 2003, in Afghanistan and Iraq, more than two thousand seven hundred U.S. soldiers have died in the line of duty - 283 of those servicemen and women have been Californians. I thank you all for the privilege of being with you here today and I will conclude my remarks by naming the soldiers from our Los Angeles communities who have lost their lives in the last few years while answering our nation's call to duty. Please join me afterward for a moment of silence in their honor:"

Private First Class Ramon Romero, age 19, Marines, August 22, 2005

Specialist Jose L. Mora, age 26, Army, October 24, 2003

Corporal Roberto Abad, age 22, Marines, August 6, 2004

Lance Corporal Luis A. Figueroa, age 21, November 18, 2004

Corporal Jorge A. Gonzalez, age 20, Marines, May 29, 2004

Lance Corporal Jose Gutierrez, age 28, Marines, March 21, 2003

Lance Corporal Victor R. Lu, age 22, Marines, November 13, 2004

Private First Class Francisco A. Martinez Flores, age 21, Marines, March 25, 2003

Staff Sergeant Eddie E. Menyweather, age 35, Army, November 23, 2003

Private First Class Veashna Muy, age 20, Marines, June 23, 2005

Staff Sergeant Abraham D. Penamedina, age 32, Army, April 27, 2004

Corporal Carlos Pineda, age 23, Marines, June 24, 2005

Lance Corporal Felipe D. Sandoval-Flores, age 20, Marines, April 2, 2006

Lance Corporal Dion M. Whitley, age 21, Marines, June 15, 2005

Corporal Carlos Arrelanopandura, age 22, Marines, January, 20, 2006

Staff Sergeant Juan De Dios Garcia-Arana, age 27, Army, April 30, 2005

Lance Corporal Benjamin R. Gonzalez, age 23, Marines, May 29, 2004

Sergeant Edgar E. Lopez, age 27, Marines, August 28, 2004

Sergeant First Class John W. Marshall, age 50, Army, April 8, 2003

Sergeant Trinidad R. Martinezluis, age 22, Army, November 28, 2004

Sergeant Milton M. Monzon Jr., age 21, Army, July 24, 2005

Chief Warrant Officer Christopher G. Nason, age 39, Army, November 23, 2003

Private First Class Geoffrey Perez, age 24, Marines, August 15, 2005

Specialist Omead H. Razani, age 19, Army, August 27, 2004

Sergeant First Class Joselito O. Villanueva, age 36, Army, September 27, 2004
 

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