San Dieguito Post 416 hosts Memorial Day ceremony

ENCINITAS — The American Legion San Dieguito Post 416 honored fallen service members and their families during its annual Memorial Day ceremony led by Past Commander Steve Lewandowski in downtown Encinitas.

The annual event memorialized veterans of the Air Force, Navy, Army, Coast Guard and Marine Corps and honored their living comrades who continue to share their stories.

“We owe a lot to our veterans,” said Mayor Tony Kranz in his speech to at least 100 veterans and attendees. “They carry the burden as people who live through battle and have seen their comrades fall, which must be one of the most painful things one can experience. I learned that also through my father.”

Local Boy Scout troops helped with several aspects of the day’s event. Troops 774 and 776 were responsible for the Presentation of Colors, a ceremony presenting or retiring a flag before the ceremony began.

Cub Scout packs 731 and 772 performed the Pledge of Allegiance, and Scoutmaster Troop 737 read “In Flanders Field,” a poem written during World War I by Canada’s Lt. Col. John McCrae.

In addition, the “Star Spangled Banner” was performed by Jim Boydston of the San Diego Opera alongside the Cub Scouts.

Guest speakers, including retired Marine Col. Rocky Chavez, Army veteran Roger Jordheim and Cheryl Fleming, Elks Lodge 2243 Exalted Grand Ruler, gave speeches on the importance of remembering this day and the people who fought for the freedoms we have. Post-Adjutant John Poehler then performed a roll call of absent comrades before the conclusion of the ceremonies.

Once the ceremony was concluded, local American Legion members and Boy Scout troops unfurled a 20-by-25-foot American Flag while Ken Carsten of Bugles Across America played taps.

Afterward, Post 416 welcomed everyone inside to serve hamburgers and brats for a social hour with music by Pete Demarzo.

More photos from the Memorial Day event