Remembering Our Fallen

“Remembering Our Fallen,” a traveling photo exhibition honoring the service men and women who have died in the line of duty since 9/11, will be on display at the Civic Center library from May 3 to 14.

The 125-foot-long display features military and personal photographs of the more than 700 Californians, including 77 from San Diego County, who have been killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The public is invited to the opening ceremony at 1 p.m. Monday, May 4, in the Veterans Wing at the library.

At that time, the Chula Vista Elks Club #2011 will present the Elks Medal of Valor to representatives of each of fallen soldiers from San Diego. A separate area will pay special tribute to those from the South Bay. They include: Cpl. Salem Bachar, Sgt. Michael Idanan, Ssg. Kristofferson Lorenzo, Sgt. Michael Martinez, Ssg. Joshua Mattero, Spc. Curtis Spivey, Sgt. Charles Wycoff Jr., Cpl. Erik Silva and Spc. Matthew Holley.

Members of the Marine Corps League Detachment 1207 will provide an honor guard for the 12 days of the exhibit. Other local organizations involved in bringing the exhibit to Chula Vista include American Legion Post 434, VFW Post 211 and the Ladies of the Auxiliary, Military Order of the Purple Heart Unit 49.

Exhibits are being developed to honor fallen military members from each of the 50 states. The California exhibit, which is sponsored by Bellevue University, opened in January at the Reagan Presidential Library. Click here for  information on events throughout California and the U.S. (4/15/15)

Photos above courtesy of Steve Wood

The 4th Tank Battalion Color Guard, USMC Reserves, participated in the opening ceremony, which drew several active and former service members.

Photos at left and above courtesy of Marinel Marquez