Gilbert Ibarra stood quietly in a small park in Joshua Tree on Memorial Day, dressed in a gray T-shirt featuring a large eagle. He was there to honor the memory of friends he lost during the Vietnam War in 1975. Ibarra, a former Marine, recalled how his unit was involved in the Mayaguez incident, which left two of his buddies stranded on an island near Cambodia, likely killed by the Khmer Rouge. “They were just 19,” he reflected, his eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses. “I’m here to remember my buddies. That’s what I hold in my heart.”
Ibarra was one of about 75 attendees at the Memorial Day service held at Joshua Tree Memorial Park, a small cemetery in the high desert. Among the crowd were his neighbors, Debbie and Ron Waggoner from nearby Yucca Valley. Debbie shared, “We’ve had a busy weekend, but we thought today should be set aside for this. We don’t want to forget the people who paid for our freedom.”
The gathering lasted about an hour and included a bagpiper, speakers, a color guard, and the release of doves. Russell Martin, a Navy chaplain and commander, led the invocation, emphasizing the significance of the day. “This day is not just a day in the calendar. It’s a sacred pause to remember those who died in service to the idea that freedom is worth defending,” he said.
Many in attendance had military backgrounds. Bob Hoyt, wearing a leather chauffeur hat and yellow suspenders, served in the Navy from 1966 to 1970. He circulated among the guests, handing out patriotic refrigerator magnets he made himself. “I self-promoted myself to captain, and now I call myself Captain America,” he joked. “The older I get, the more I love this country, and I try to promote that love however I can.”
In the front row, Anne Lear, a veteran of Afghanistan and the newly appointed captain of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter, sat alongside her friend Debbie Johnson, who leads the local American Legion chapter. Both organizations are dedicated to supporting veterans in various ways, from assisting with home needs to covering medical transportation costs. “You’re in the presence of some serious women power here,” Johnson remarked.
The service concluded with the release of a dozen white doves, which flew together, circling the canopy and the podium, while the American flag fluttered in the wind at half-mast. This poignant ceremony in Joshua Tree was a heartfelt reminder of the sacrifices made by many for the freedoms enjoyed today.