On Monday May 30th, the City of Chicago Heights hosted its annual Memorial Day ceremony. The ceremony is a time to pause and reflect, to honor the memory of those who served and lost their lives, and to remember the families and loved ones who were left behind to grieve their loss.

Police Chief Thomas Rogers called the ceremony to order, followed by the posting of the colors by the Bloom High School Jr. Navy ROTC. After Chief Rogers recited the Pledge of Allegiance, heads were bowed as Bishop Ronnie White gave the invocation.

Mayor David A. Gonzalez’s spoke eloquently about the sacrifices of the men and women, our fallen soldiers, who served in the Armed Forces. The following excerpt is from the Mayor’s moving tribute:

“Sadly, each and every month, an officer appears at the doorstep of an anguished mother and father bearing the news that no parent ever wants to hear; the blue star signifying the son or daughter serving in the military is taken down, and is replaced solemnly by a gold star, signifying a loss.

Let us not forget the true meaning of this day. A terrible price in blood has been paid by fallen soldiers who lost their lives to secure the blessings we have in this country. An equally terrible price has been paid by the family members who survived them. God Bless all those gave this great nation their last full measure of devotion.”

The ceremony closed with the Catholic War Veterans Post No. 1060 firing a twenty-one-gun salute as Bloom student LeeAndre Jones played Taps and Echo, and Fire Chief Jeffrey Springer offered the final prayer.

View the video slideshow to see moments from the 2016 Memorial Day Ceremony.