FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - South Florida woke up bright and early on Memorial Day to pay their respects to the fallen heroes who served in the military.
In Fort Lauderdale, nearly 300 people arrived at Lauderdale Memorial Park to listen to keynote speaker Sgt. Kyle White.
White is a Medal of Honor recipient, which is the nation’s highest military decoration. He was honored at the White House by President Barack Obama for a heroic sacrifice he made back in 2007, when he saved several members of his platoon after they came under attack in Afghanistan.
White travels the country sharing his story, and on Monday, he took the time to express his gratitude and pay tribute to the U.S. military.
“It means something different to everybody,” he said, “but what we need to realize is that there are two important things, and that is to be thankful for their sacrifice and to never forget their sacrifice.”
The wife of a U.S. veteran told 7News her husband witnessed his brothers-in-arms perish. “My husband saw his friends die standing right next to him,” said Wendy Leader.
Over at Miami Beach City Hall, a Vietnam war veteran shared his experiences on the battlefield. “In my first month in ‘Nam, I lost 34 of my friends, being shot down,” said Robert Martins.
At the Sunrise Civic Center, veteran Howard Rudolf showed up in an especially wrapped Jeep Wrangler paying tribute to the victims of Sept. 11. “Every day I start my Jeep, I remember the people who have given their lives and are still heard,” he said.
In the City of Miami, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio addressed the crowd.
Across South Florida, people gathered to do just what Sgt. White had hoped for, thanking veterans for their service and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
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