Los Angeles Fleet Week paused the summer fun for a few moments Monday evening, May 29 — for a solemn remembrance.
The weekend-long festival dedicated to the U.S. seafaring military branches hosted a Memorial Day ceremony on its last day, complete with wreaths, color guard and remembrances of those who died while serving the country.
The event took place on the Battleship Iowa, in Fleet Week’s main expo, at 5 p.m. Monday.
Ret. Navy Chaplain Dov Cohen delivers the Benediction during a Memorial Day service at LA Fleet Week on Monday, May 29, 2023, in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Colors are presented at a Memorial Day service at LA Fleet Week on Monday, May 29, 2023, in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Colors are presented at a Memorial Day service at LA Fleet Week on Monday, May 29, 2023, in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Colors are presented at a Memorial Day service at LA Fleet Week on Monday, May 29, 2023, in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A Memorial Day service is held in front of the Battleship USS Iowa on the final day of LA Fleet Week on Monday, May 29, 2023, in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A Memorial Day service is held in front of the Battleship USS Iowa on the final day of LA Fleet Week on Monday, May 29, 2023, in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
US Space Force Lt. Col. Brian Vance delivers Memorial Day keynote remarks at a service to close out LA Fleet Week on Monday, May 29, 2023, in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
US Army Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient Ronnie Guyer speaks during a Memorial Day service at LA Fleet Week on Monday, May 29, 2023, in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Visitors attend a Memorial Day service at LA Fleet Week on Monday, May 29, 2023, in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Visitors attend a Memorial Day service at LA Fleet Week on Monday, May 29, 2023, in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Visitors attend a Memorial Day service at LA Fleet Week on Monday, May 29, 2023, in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A Memorial Day service is held in front of the Battleship USS Iowa on the final day of LA Fleet Week on Monday, May 29, 2023, in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
US Space Force Lt. Col. Brian Vance delivers Memorial Day keynote remarks at a service to close out LA Fleet Week on Monday, May 29, 2023, in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
US Space Force Lt. Col. Brian Vance delivers Memorial Day keynote remarks at a service to close out LA Fleet Week on Monday, May 29, 2023, in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
US Space Force Lt. Col. Brian Vance delivers Memorial Day keynote remarks at a service to close out LA Fleet Week on Monday, May 29, 2023, in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
US Space Force Lt. Col. Brian Vance delivers Memorial Day keynote remarks at a service to close out LA Fleet Week on Monday, May 29, 2023, in San Pedro. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
LA Fleet Week, which officials say is the largest Memorial Day weekend event in Southern California, began on Friday and ended on Monday. It feature family-friendly festivities, including live music and entertainment, ship tours, aircraft flyovers and exhibits from the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Army.
“We are a maritime nation,” Jonathan Williams, president and CEO of the Battleship Iowa Museum and the National Museum of the Surface Navy, said in a previous press release, “and Fleet Week gives us the opportunity to salute all of those who ensure the freedom of the seas.”
And on Monday evening, Fleet Week took a moment to recognize all those who served in the military — and paid the ultimate price for their country.