South Bay Coastal Sea Cadet Christina Ree plays “Assembly,” a bugle call, during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
US Army veterans stand up as their branch’s theme in the “Armed Forces Medley” is played by the Redondo Union High School Wind Ensemble at the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
US Space Force Colonel Mia Walsh places down a wreath, along with several other veterans, during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) speaks during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Ca.) speaks during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
US Coast Guard Captain Stacy Crecy gives a speech during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Redondo Beach resident Dennis McNeil sings “God Bless America” during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Family members of the late Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand receive an American flag during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
A new American flag is hoisted up over Veterans Park by US Naval Sea Cadets during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Ca.), center, recites the pledge of allegiance during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
John Gran, vice president of the Redondo Beach Veterans Memorial Task Force, gives a speech during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Redondo Beach Mayor Jim Light speaks to the crowd at the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
US Coast Guard Captain Stacey Crecy gathers with her family and friends for a group photo at the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
US Army veteran and host Tom Lasser gives opening remarks during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Veterans recite the pledge of allegiance, led by Redondo Beach Mayor Jim Light, during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Veterans pray during an invocation led by Reverend Jason Shelby during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
A giant American flag, hung by the Redondo Beach Fire Department, towers over the crowd as veterans salute for the pledge of allegiance during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
US Naval Sea Cadets fold the American flag during the retiring of the colors at the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Cooks grill up some burgers for attendees in Veteran’s Park during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the Redondo Union High School Wind Ensemble perform the Armed Forces Medley at the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
A wreath with the logo of the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia is placed in front of a memorial for fallen soldiers during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
An American flag flows over the crowd at the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
A new American flag flies over Veteran’s Park after it was replaced during the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
Residents, veterans and city dignitaries gathered at the Veteran’s Memorial in Redondo Beach’s Veteran’s Park on Monday, May 27, afternoon to commemorate those who served their country in the military.
This year, the ceremony — put on annually by the city, the Veterans Memorial Task Force and Redondo Beach Elks Lodge #1378 — included a flag presentation to family members of late Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand, who died in February.
Every Memorial Day and Labor Day, the flag that flies at Veteran’s Park is replaced with a new one, said Tom Lasser, of the Veteran’s Memorial Task Force. The old flag is usually presented to a local veteran, he said.
But this year, because of the late mayor’s support for the military, veterans and the Veteran’s Park Memorial itself, the task force decided to present the flag to Brand’s family. Sister Sallie Citron accepted the flag on behalf of the family.
The Memorial Day observance also included a patriotic display of color guard, music and speeches, after which attendees gathered in the park for an Elks-sponsored barbeque picnic. The meal was free for all veterans and active members of the military.
“There’s nothing like a ceremony at Veteran’s Park,” Lasser said. “With the beach right there, the ocean in the background and the green grass. We’ve got it down to a science.”
