WASHINGTON — In front of a crowd that gathered around the World War II Memorial on Monday, veterans presented wreaths in a ceremony and observance for Memorial Day.
“We honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Josiah Bunting, chairman of the nonprofit group Friends of the National World War II Memorial.
The ceremony paid tribute to the more than 400,000 Americans who lost their lives during the war.
“We gather to remember those, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, ‘Who gave their last full measure of devotion to their country,'” said Karen Cucurullo, deputy superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks.
Grammy Award-nominated songwriter Bob Regan and country music artist Rockie Lynne performed songs, and young students who traveled from France delivered remarks as part of a school program meant to honor American veterans who fought in France during the war.
