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Sailors from the USS Carl Vinson march across the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, May 27, 2024, in a Memorial Day tribute to those service members who have died fighting for their country. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Sailors from the USS Carl Vinson march across the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, May 27, 2024, in a Memorial Day tribute to those service members who have died fighting for their country. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Members of the public attend a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024, on the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles . (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Members of the public attend a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024, on the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles . (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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The First Marine Division Band performs at a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024, on the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles . (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Spectators watch a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024, on the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles . (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Spectators watch a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024, on the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles . (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Service members recite the Sailor’s Creed during a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024, on the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles . (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Sailors pay tribute to fallen service members during a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024, on the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles . (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Sailors from the USS Carl Vinson march across the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, May 27, 2024, in a Memorial Day tribute to those service members who have died fighting for their country. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Sailors from the USS Carl Vinson march across the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, May 27, 2024, in a Memorial Day tribute to those service members who have died fighting for their country. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Sailors from the USS Carl Vinson march across the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, May 27, 2024, in a Memorial Day tribute to those service members who have died fighting for their country. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Sailors stand in formation on the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, May 27, 2024, during a Memorial Day tribute to fallen service members. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Sailors stand in formation on the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, May 27, 2024, during a Memorial Day tribute to fallen service members. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Sailors stand in formation on the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, May 27, 2024, during a Memorial Day tribute to fallen service members. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Sailors stand in formation on the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, May 27, 2024, during a Memorial Day tribute to fallen service members. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Sailors pay tribute to fallen service members during a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024, on the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles . (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Sailors from the USS Carl Vinson march across the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, May 27, 2024, in a Memorial Day tribute to those service members who have died fighting for their country. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Hundreds of sailors line up to march across the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, May 27, 2024, in a Memorial Day tribute to those service members who have died fighting for their country. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Hundreds of sailors line up to march across the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, May 27, 2024, in a Memorial Day tribute to those service members who have died fighting for their country. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Hundreds of sailors line up to march across the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, May 27, 2024, in a Memorial Day tribute to those service members who have died fighting for their country. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Deputy Commander of the U.S. Navy, Third Fleet Rear Admiral Richard Meyer, delivers remarks as L.A. Councilmember Kevin de Leon looks on during a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024, on the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles . (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The setting was iconic, the backdrop striking — and the moment poignant.
About 500 Navy sailors marched across the Sixth Street Viaduct in Downtown Los Angeles on Monday, May 27, for a Memorial Day tribute to those who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
The walk to pay tribute to fallen U.S. military personnel began at noon on the Boyle Heights side of the viaduct, with sailors forming 10 rows abreast and 50 deep, according to Branimir Kvartuc, the media representative for LA Fleet Week.
Members of the Navy, Coast Guard and other military branches had been in town for the past several days to celebrate Los Angeles Fleet Week. The main footprint for Fleet Week was in San Pedro, at the LA Harbor, where thousands of civilians converged over the long Memorial Day weekend to take tours of ships, examine military equipment and honor the Armed Forces.
But the service members also spread out across the region, visiting Disneyland, catching ballgames at Dodger Stadium and enjoying barbecue in Mission Hills.
And, on Monday, they converged on Downtown LA to honor their fallen comrades.
The sailors, along with members of the public, walked across the iconic, but normally traffic-laden Sixth Street Bridge. The “Sailors’ Salute,” as Fleet Week organizers dubbed the event, also featured food trucks and a performance from the Marine Brass Band.
Michael Alacala who grew up in Boyle Heights served in the Navy from 1977 – 1983, stationed at the El Toro Air Station. “I was very fortunate in that I had six cousins that were in the Vietnam War and all of them came home safely so fortunately I didn’t lose anybody.”
Alacala added: ” I’m really fortunate to celebrate Memorial Day with friends and the people of Los Angeles. This is a great opportunity for the community of Boyle Heights as well as the city of L.A. to acknowledge our service members.”
The Sailors’ Salute was Fleet Week’s penultimate Memorial Day tribute, with a more traditional ceremony concluding the weekend on Monday evening.
“Being able to participate on Memorial Day gives me great pride to remember all my brothers and sisters that have gone before me,” said Aviation Ordnanceman First Class Jordan Mocny, who joined in the march. “This is my first LA Fleet Week and I’m happy that I was able to participate.”
Photographer Howard Freshman contributed to this report
