KING CITY — Flags waved gently in the morning breeze Monday as veterans, families and community members gathered at the King City Cemetery to remember those who gave their lives in military service to the nation.
Hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6747, the annual Memorial Day ceremony brought together residents from across South Monterey County for a morning of prayer, remembrance and patriotic tribute.
Members of the California Cadet Corps presented the flags during the event, while local organizations provided handcrafted wreaths to place along the memorial wall in honor of fallen service members.
Fort Hunter Liggett Chaplain (Maj.) Guy Crubaugh delivered the invocation, with remarks by Garrison Commander Col. Jason McKenzie, King City Mayor Mike LeBarre and others.
In a social media post afterward, Fort Hunter Liggett said McKenzie “addressed the crowd of veterans, families and community members, reflecting on the importance of patriotism, community and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.”
The post added that McKenzie “spoke about how ceremonies like these preserve the meaning of service and inspire future generations to carry forward that same sense of pride and love of country.”
The May 25 event concluded with prayer before the sounding of “Taps,” honoring military members who died in service.
Fort Hunter Liggett thanked the community for continuing the tradition of remembrance.
“Fort Hunter Liggett thanks the VFW, ceremony organizers, veterans and the King City community for continuing to preserve and pass on the meaning of service and sacrifice to future generations,” stated the U.S. Army installation.
Following the cemetery ceremony, a Memorial Day drive-thru barbecue was hosted at the local VFW Hall that afternoon.
