Remembering the fallen

Community members gather for a Memorial Day ceremony May 27, 2019, at the Santa Maria Cemetery, Calif. Throughout the ceremony, service members and veterans who served in times of war were asked to stand as a way to show them appreciation for their sacrifice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aubree Milks)

Members of the Santa Maria Valley Veteran Honor Guard shot a three-volley salute during a Memorial Day ceremony May 27, 2019, at the Santa Maria Cemetery, Calif. The three-volley salute is a ceremonial act that pays tribute to those who gave their life for their country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aubree Milks)

Mike Stadnick Jr., ceremony officiator, presents Col. Kris Barcomb, 30th Operation Group commander, with an appreciation certificate during a Memorial Day ceremony May 27 2019, at Santa Maria Cemetery, Calif. During Barcomb’s speech, he thanked veterans and service members for their service, the community for their support and fallen veterans for the ultimate sacrifice they made. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aubree Milks)

Attendees wait for a Memorial Day ceremony to begin May 27, 2019, in Lompoc, Calif. During the ceremony, members of the community played music, laid wreaths and a speech was given by guest speaker Brig. Gen. Wolfe Davidson, 14th Air Force vice commander, to honor veterans who gave their life for their country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hanah Abercrombie)

Col. Bob Reeves, 30th Space Wing vice commander poses with Tony Campas, Santa Maria Elks Lodge exalted ruler during a Memorial Day ceremony held at the Elks Rodeo grounds in Sana Maria, Calif. May 27, 2019. This Memorial Day ceremony was one of six in communities surrounding Vandenberg AFB that featured Vandenberg AFB commanders.

Col. Bob Reeves, 30th Space Wing vice commander, speaks during a Memorial Day ceremony May 27, 2019, in Santa Maria, Calif. This year, Vandenberg Air Force Base commanders spoke at six Memorial Day ceremonies in surrounding communities to honor veterans who gave their lives for their country.

Wes Brown, Santa Maria Elks Lodge leading knight, and Tony Campas, Santa Maria Elks Lodge exalted ruler, raise the American flag during a Memorial Day ceremony May 27, 2019, in Santa Maria, Calif. This year, Vandenberg Air Force Base commanders spoke at six Memorial Day ceremonies in surrounding communities to honor veterans who gave their lives for their country.

Col. Michael Hunsberger, 30th Mission Support Group commander, speaks during a Memorial Day ceremony May 27, 2019, in Solvang, Calif. In observance of Memorial Day, the park was filled with military members, veterans and local community members to honor the men and women who died serving in the U.S. military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Clayton Wear)

Col. Michael Hunsberger, 30th Mission Support Group commander, salutes a ceremonial wreath during a Memorial Day ceremony May 27, 2019, in Solvang, Calif. The wreath laying ceremony honored all of those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Clayton Wear)

Brig. Gen. Wolfe Davidson, 14th Air Force vice commander, speaks during a Memorial Day Ceremony May 27, 2019, in Lompoc, Calif. Davidson’s speech touched on personal loss as a Special Tactics Officer and how he used loss as inspiration to be the best he can each day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hanah Abercrombie)

Brig. Gen. Wolfe Davidson, 14th Air Force vice commander, speaks during a Memorial Day ceremony May 27, 2019, in Lompoc, Calif. Davidson’s speech touched on his personal loss while serving and how he used that loss as inspiration to be the best he can each day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hanah Abercrombie)

Members of the Vandenberg Honor Guard post the colors during a Memorial Day ceremony May 27, 2019, in Lompoc, Calif. Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1971 as a way to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hanah Abercrombie)

Col. Raymond Clydesdale, 30th Medical Group commander, speaks during a Memorial Day ceremony May 27, 2019, in Guadalupe, Calif. During the ceremony, local children read their winning Memorial Day essays explaining what this day means to them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brittany E. N. Murphy)

Col. Raymond Clydesdale, 30th Medical Group commander, speaks during a Memorial Day ceremony May 27, 2019, in Guadalupe, Calif. During the ceremony, local children read their winning Memorial Day essays explaining what this day means to them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brittany E. N. Murphy)

Col. Raymond Clydesdale, 30th Medical Group commander, prepares to speak during a Memorial Day ceremony May 27, 2019, in Guadalupe, Calif. The ceremony, hosted by the American Legion Post No. 371, was held to honor veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice to their country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brittany E. N. Murphy)

Col. Michael Hough, 30th Space Wing commander, and members of the American Legion Post 534 watch as the Orcutt Academy Choir sings each military branch’s song during a Memorial Day ceremony May 27, 2019, in Orcutt, Calif. During the ceremony, Boy Scout Troop 91 raised and lowered the flag, memorial wreaths were presented at the flag and the choir sang. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Patrick Harrower)