Latest news with #FallenHeroes
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Gwinnett County honors fallen soldiers at 22nd annual Memorial Day ceremony
The Brief Gwinnett County held its 22nd annual Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen service members, including two local soldiers who died within the past year. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan O'Hara, killed in a January helicopter crash, and Specialist Travis Pameni, who died in a noncombat incident in Iraq, were added to the county's Fallen Heroes Memorial. U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff attended the event, emphasizing the importance of honoring those who gave their lives for the country. GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - The Gwinnett County community came together to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, including two local heroes who died in the last year. The sound of taps echoed in a Gwinnett County auditorium; it was a reminder that the freedom we hold so dear is paid for with sacrifice. What we know At Gwinnett County's ceremony on Monday afternoon, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan O'Hara was inducted into the county's Fallen Heroes Memorial. O'Hara grew up in Lilburn and graduated from Parkview High School before he joined the Army. His father was not able to make it to the ceremony but watched online. SEE ALSO: Who is Ryan O'Hara? Black Hawk crew chief in DC midair crash was Georgia high school grad What they're saying "Memorial Day definitely strikes very close to home for all of us," said Gary O'Hara, father of the U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan O'Hara, who died after the Black Hawk helicopter he was in crashed into an American Airlines regional jet near Reagan National Airport in January. Ryan was one of 67 killed. "Today has been a very difficult day. I didn't think Memorial Day would be so traumatic," Gary said. "I almost wish that I had slept through the day." "I'm really appreciative of the service that they put out there today and bringing in the Parkview ROTC that really meant a lot and would have meant a lot to Ryan," Gary said. The other side O'Hara was not the only local hero who is now etched into the memorial. He's joined by U.S. Army National Guard Specialist Travis Pameni who died in July in a non-combat-related incident in Iraq. "We hope that it does help the families. That's what it was meant to and gives the people the honor they deserve," said Ron Buice, Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial co-founder. Local perspective This was the 22nd annual Memorial Day ceremony in Gwinnett County. U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff joined county leaders because he believes we need to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. "It's too little understood that Memorial Day is not just a long weekend for pleasure, but it's the day when we pause to remember and honor those who have given their lives in defense of our country," Sen. Ossoff said. What's next The memorial sits near the Gwinnett County justice center. Gary says he plans to make a trip here with his wife to honor his son. SEE ALSO: Metro Atlanta honors those who died for their country on Memorial Day Roswell Rotary Club marks 26th year of honoring POWs, MIAs and the fallen Widow honors fallen heroes with flowers at Georgia National Cemetery Shepherd's Men march 12 miles to honor veterans, raise funds for SHARE program Memorial Day ceremonies, events in metro Atlanta, North Georgia | May 2025 The Source FOX 5's Tyler Fingert spoke with Gary O'Hara, father of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan O'Hara for this article.
Fox News
26-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Regiment gaming expands in-person events for veterans
All times eastern Legends & Lies: The Patriots Legends & Lies: The Patriots Legends & Lies: The Patriots Legends & Lies: The Patriots FOX News Radio Live Channel Coverage WATCH LIVE: America honors fallen heroes as tributes echo across the capital
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Fallen Heroes Memorial 5K draws hundreds in support
LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — Around 800 people came out early Saturday morning to support officers killed in the line of duty. The Lakeland Police Foundation hosted its 9th annual Fallen Heroes Memorial 5K at the Three Parks Trail. Everyone who crossed the finish line raised support for local law enforcement, honored the officers killed in the line of duty, and raised funds for the Lakeland Police Foundation. 'Remembering the officers who have given their lives and paid the ultimate sacrifice is what this is all about,' said Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor. The Lakeland Police Foundation hosts this event to remember their own killed and to raise funds to help support officers and their families during times of hardship. 'The Lakeland Police Foundation started this race 9 years ago as a way to honor the 7 men who died in the line of duty for our agency, the Lakeland Police Department, but since that time, it has become so much more,' said Assistant Chief Steven Pacheco. 'It's become a community event that we could honor other law enforcement officers who also died, and also, our military members who died serving this country.' Some runners wrote down the names of Lakeland police officers who have been killed. 'Officer Crispin, who lost his life taking care of each and every one of us out here, so this is the least that we can do to pay back him and his family,' said Linda Martinez. Other runners ran for officers killed in the line of duty in other states. 'His name is Nick O'Rear. I didn't quite know him personally, but I know his kids really well and I know how much they loved him and were devastated when he was lost,' said Adam Smith, who ran for an officer killed in Alabama. Many who showed up to the event were proud to see the support for the men and women in blue. 'I do a desk job, right, and what they do is they risk their lives every single day for me and to keep us safe, so that's what brought me out here today,' said Donna Hughes, a runner. 'I've been doing this for 35 years, and this kind of feeds your soul when you come out and understand that the majority of people do like the police and they do support what we do,' Chief Taylor said. Runners of all ages took steps to honor, remember, and let the memories of those killed live on. Organizers said they're going to continue doing this event and that this is the largest community event that they have. To learn more about the Lakeland Police Foundation and the memorial race, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Here's what to know about Memorial Day events in the Wilmington area
Memorial Day is a time to remember those who gave their lives in service. The day is observed in the United States on the last Monday of May each year. Memorial Day is May 26, 2025. Here is a list of Memorial day observance ceremonies in the Wilmington area. Veterans Memorial Reef will host its annual Fallen Heroes Ceremony as part of a three-day event honoring the lives and service of 10 United States Armed Forces veterans. The commemorative events wil be held May 16-17 and May 19, 2025, in the Wilmington area. Veterans from the Army, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Navy will be honored. Each family will receive a folded ceremonial flag from the Honor Guard of their veteran's branch, recognizing their loved one's service and sacrifice. Friday, May 16. A private, family-only event. Saturday, May 17. The official ceremony will include military honors, individual eulogies, flag presentations by Honor Guard members from each branch, a ceremonial processional, and performance of 'Amazing Grace' by the Wilmington Police Pipes and Drums. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Fort Johnston Southport Museum and Visitor Center – 203 E. Bay St., Southport. 910-457-7927. Monday, May 19. Families will board the Vonda Kay Charter Boat, 104 Carl Winner Drive, Carolina Beach at 8:30 a.m. to accompany the journey offshore. Participants can bring flower to into the sea as the memorial markers are placed on the reef. The markers will be transported to the site by McPherson Marine Services aboard a sea barge. Stay informed: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the StarNews app Battleship North Carolina will hold a Memorial Day Observance ceremony on Monday, May 26 at 10 a.m. on the battleship's fantail, weather permitting. The ceremony will feature a military guest speaker, an all-service Color guard, a 21-gun salute by a Marine Corps Honor Guard, a military band, taps, and a memorial wreath cast into the waters. The public is invited. The Veterans Administration will host a public Memorial Day commemoration ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, May 26 at the Wilmington National Cemetery at2011 Market St. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. The Sunset Beach Committee to Honor America's Veterans and the town of Sunset Beach will hold a ceremony Monday, May 26 at 10 a.m. at Sunset Beach Town Park to honor fallen military service members. The ceremony will include an honor guard and keynote address. A Memorial Day of Remembrance will be host by the town of Surf City on Friday, May 23 at 9 a.m. at Soundside Park, 517 Roland Ave., Surf City. Cheryl M. Whitaker covers community news for the StarNews. Reach her at This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Here are Memorial Day events in Wilmington, NC, for 2025
CBS News
02-05-2025
- CBS News
Maryland's annual Fallen Heroes Day ceremony honors first responders who died in the line of duty
Maryland police, firefighters, emergency personnel and other first responders who have died in the line of duty will be honored during the 40th annual Fallen Heroes Day in Baltimore County. The ceremony, held at the Fallen Heroes Memorial at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens, brings together all groups of the public safety community. Fallen Heroes Day is held each year on the first Friday in May. It provides an opportunity for the state to show its appreciation for first responders who risk their lives to protect citizens. The ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Maryland's Fallen Heroes ceremony On Friday morning, Gov. Wes Moore ordered that Maryland flags be lowered to half-staff to honor Fallen Heroes Day. "Our state is stronger because of the members of our military, law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders who served and made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty," the governor said. Friday's ceremony will start with a procession of honor guard units from across Maryland, motorcycle police and mounted units. The family members of those who died in the line of duty will attend the ceremony, organizers said. Maryland remembers first responders who died in the line of duty According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there were 76 on-duty firefighter deaths reported between 1990 and 2024 in Maryland. So far in 2025, the agency reported one on-duty firefighter death in Maryland. Montgomery County Firefighter Christopher Higgins died after suffering a medical emergency while battling a fire in January. He will be honored at the ceremony. The Officer Down Memorial Page reported two police line-of-duty deaths in 2024, including a Cecil County Police sergeant and Parole Agent Davis Martinez. Both of them will also be honored during the Fallen Heroes ceremony. Agent Davis Martinez was killed in May 2024 while he was visiting the home of a convicted sex offender in Montgomery County. It was the first time that a parole agent died in the line of duty in Maryland. Davis Martinez's brother, Michael Martinez, told WJZ that Davis was everyone's cheerleader. Michael Martinez also said his brother felt like his job was not appreciated enough, but being named a fallen hero, he said, speaks for itself. A total of nine fallen heroes will be honored during the ceremony, including Baltimore Police Officer Daoud Mingo, who died in December 2023. Mingo was injured when his motorcycle collided with a vehicle that had turned into his path during a funeral escort in 2015. He continued to serve the department until his retirement in 2020. He died from complications related to his injuries. Howard County Firefighter Richard Blankenship, Jr., will also be honored. According to event organizers, Blankenship served for two decades before he died from occupational cancer. "As we mark the 40th anniversary of Fallen Heroes Day, we are humbled and grateful as we remember all of the brave and heroic first responders who have made the supreme sacrifice. They did their jobs with grace and determination so that we all could be safe and protected," said President of Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens Jack Mitchell.
