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Memorial Day tributes across Florida, nation as Americans honor the fallen

The Brief A traveling Vietnam memorial drew hundreds in Clermont, Fla., on Memorial Day. Ceremonies across Florida and the nation honored the sacrifices of U.S. service members. From local parks to Arlington Cemetery, the message was clear: they are never forgotten. CLERMONT, Fla. - On Memorial Day, the City of Clermont paused to honor the lives of those who gave everything for their country, with a poignant tribute centered around a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. What we know On Memorial Day, the City of Clermont hosted a powerful tribute centered on the Vietnam Traveling Wall — a scaled-down replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The wall, which features the names of more than 58,000 U.S. service members who died in the Vietnam War, drew large crowds to Waterfront Park. This is the second year the wall has visited Clermont, serving as a focal point for remembrance and honor. The event included patriotic music, rifle salutes, and a strong turnout from veterans and families alike. Meanwhile, other ceremonies took place across the country, including a major tribute at Arlington National Cemetery, where President Donald Trump laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. What we don't know While the event powerfully resonated with attendees, it's unclear whether the Vietnam Traveling Wall will return to Clermont in the coming years, or how many cities are on its future itinerary. Additionally, while the ceremonies deeply moved those present, the long-term impact on younger generations' understanding of military sacrifice remains to be seen. The backstory The Vietnam Traveling Wall is a replica created to make the experience of the national memorial accessible to those who can't visit Washington, D.C. First constructed in the 1980s, the wall has toured cities across the U.S., offering communities a personal and tangible connection to the Vietnam War and its legacy. Its presence in Clermont reflects a broader national tradition of honoring veterans in localized, heartfelt ways. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the site of the national Memorial Day observance, dates back to 1921 and serves as a symbol for all unidentified or missing U.S. service members. Local perspective In Clermont and throughout Florida, Memorial Day observances served as a reminder that the cost of war is both national and deeply personal. Local connections to the names on the wall made the experience especially poignant for residents. Veterans like Tuskegee Airman Daniel Keel offered living testimony to the sacrifices made by earlier generations, reinforcing the message that freedom is not free. In Orange County, local officials honored Gold Star families with speeches and wreath-laying, showing that remembrance doesn't just happen on the national stage—it starts at home. What they're saying Clermont hosted a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The scaled-down wall, bearing the names of more than 58,000 service members killed during the Vietnam War, drew hundreds to Waterfront Park for a powerful remembrance ceremony. "It remembers all the sacrifice that they had gone through," one visitor said. Families, veterans, and residents lined up to touch the engraved names—each one a reminder of lives lost and stories never forgotten. "My wife's ex-boyfriend is on there, who was my cousin," said one visitor, reflecting on the layered emotions the wall brings. Tuskegee Airman Daniel Keel reflected, "It wasn't until years later that I realized that gee, what we did was kind of unbelievable." President Donald Trump, at Arlington, honored the fallen. "They picked up their mantle of duty and service, knowing that to live for others meant always that they might die for others." He also addressed Gold Star families directly: "Thank you for giving America the brightest light in your lives." STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the City of Clermont, the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, and Fox News.