Veterans, residents observe Memorial Day

    American Legion Post 144 and the Miami Lakes Veterans Committee gathered to mark Memorial Day at the Mary Collins Community Center. 

     Gary Cardenas, commander of American Legion Post 144 served as the master of ceremonies and Mayor Manny Cid was the keynote speaker. 

     Members from the Post who served in different branches of the military read the names of Congressional Medal of Honor citations for fallen military service members from across the country.  

     Ralph A. Rios of Hialeah Gardens High School performed taps and Kassandra Alvarez of Mater Lakes Academy sang the national anthem. 

     A new battlefield cross memorial was unveiled. The display of a rifle, helmet, boots and dog tags symbolize loss, mourning and closure for the living, said Michael Coote, former chair of the Veterans Committee.  Paid for by the Veterans Committee, it has not been installed as a public memorial.