Alla Krishtall, 48, takes a photo with her phone of the Condor Squadron performing a flyover during a ceremony honoring 320 service members from Pasadena who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27, 2024. Each name was read out by Pasadena Councilmember, Jess Rivas, and members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Pasadena Division. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Their names ringing out anew in tribute, 320 service members from Pasadena who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and other conflicts were honored at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27.
Irene Ramirez grasps a folded American flag that was presented to her for her son, Lance Cpl. Rogelio A. Ramirez, who was killed in Iraq in 2007, during a ceremony honoring 320 service members from Pasadena who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts during a ceremony at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Alla Krishtall, 48, takes a photo with her phone of the Condor Squadron performing a flyover during a ceremony honoring 320 service members from Pasadena who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27, 2024. Each name was read out by Pasadena Councilmember, Jess Rivas, and members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Pasadena Division. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The Condor Squadron performs a flyover during a ceremony honoring 320 service members from Pasadena who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27, 2024. Each name was read out by Pasadena Councilmember, Jess Rivas, and members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Pasadena Division. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
U.S. Naval Seat Cadet Corps member, Cadet Ching, assists in reading the names of 320 service members from Pasadena who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts during a ceremony at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27, 2024. Each name was read out by Pasadena Councilmember Jess Rivas and members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Pasadena Division. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The city of Pasadena honored 320 service members from the city who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts during a ceremony at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27, 2024. Each name was read out by Pasadena Councilmember Jess Rivas and members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Pasadena Division. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps wait to go on stage to read the names of 320 service members from Pasadena who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts during a ceremony at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
A flag is presented to Irene Ramirez for her son, Lance Cpl. Rogelio A. Ramirez, who was killed in Iraq in 2007, during a ceremony honoring 320 service members from Pasadena who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts during a ceremony at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The city of Pasadena honored 320 service members from the city who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts during a ceremony at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27, 2024. Each name was read out by Pasadena Councilmember Jess Rivas and members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Pasadena Division. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The Missing Man table, which represents fallen, missing or imprisoned military service members, was displayed during a ceremony honoring 320 service members from Pasadena who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27, 2024. Each name was read out by Pasadena Councilmember Jess Rivas and members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Pasadena Division. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The city of Pasadena honored 320 service members from the city who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts during a ceremony at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27, 2024. Each name was read out by Pasadena Councilmember Jess Rivas and members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Pasadena Division. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The city of Pasadena honored 320 service members from the city who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts during a ceremony at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27, 2024. Each name was read out by Pasadena Councilmember Jess Rivas and members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Pasadena Division. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
California State Guard Captain, and former Pasadena Mayor, William Paparian, speaks during Ta ceremony honoring 320 service members from the city who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts during a ceremony at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27, 2024. Each name was read out by Pasadena Councilmember Jess Rivas and members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Pasadena Division. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The city of Pasadena honored 320 service members from the city who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts during a ceremony at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27, 2024. Each name was read out by Pasadena Councilmember Jess Rivas and members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Pasadena Division. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
U.S. Naval Seat Cadet Corps member, Cadet Sanchez, assists in reading the names of 320 service members from Pasadena who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts during a ceremony at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27, 2024. Each name was read out by Pasadena Councilmember Jess Rivas and members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Pasadena Division. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Pasadena Councilmember, Jess Rivas, assists in reading names of 320 service members from the city who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts during a ceremony at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27, 2024. Each name was read out by Rivas and members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Pasadena Division. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
A Marine stands at attention during a funeral honor service for Lance CPL. Rogelio A. Ramirez, who was killed in Iraq, during a ceremony honoring 320 service members from Pasadena who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts during a ceremony at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
A member of U.S. Naval Seat Cadet Corps holds a partial list of names of service members from Pasadena who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts during a ceremony at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Monday, May 27, 2024. Each name was read out by Pasadena Councilmember Jess Rivas and members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Pasadena Division. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Reading the names aloud during the city’s Memorial Day service were Pasadena City Councilmember Jess Rivas, along with members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Pasadena Division.
In a stirring individual tribute, Irene Ramirez was presented with a folded American flag in honor of her son, Lance Cpl. Rogelio A. Ramirez, who was killed in Iraq in 2007
All eyes turned skyward when the Condor Squadron performed a “missing man” flyover during the ceremony.
What became Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868, as Decoration Day, a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the Civil War dead with flowers.
It was established 25 days earlier by Maj. Gen. John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of veterans who fought for the Union in the Civil War. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the nation.
By the end of the 19th century, Decoration Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation. After World War I, the holiday was changed to honor Americans who died fighting in all wars.
The term Memorial Day was first used in 1882, became more common after World War II and declared the official name by federal law in 1967.
Memorial Day had been observed on May 30, until being moved to the last Monday in May in 1971 under terms of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which became law in 1968.
