Memorial Day

During a visit to Los Angeles National Cemetery, Rick Franklin Sr., right, talks to his son Rick Jr. about his father, Wendell E. Franklin, a captain in the U.S. Army who served in World War II and the Korean War before his death in 1960.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Yoshito Fujimoto receives thanks and requests for photos after a ceremony honoring him and other veterans at L.A. National Cemetery. Fujimoto helped translate the WWII surrender document aboard the battleship Missouri, but he was never formally recognized until today.   (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

On the Sunday before Memorial Day, Lance Cpl. Cameron Davis, of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, wraps himself in an American flag towel as he props up fallen flags at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Brianna Moreno, 4, of San Diego, pays respects to her grandfather Mariano Moreno, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War, at his columbarium niche at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Retired Col. William Gonzalez and his wife, Magda, hold hands while remembering the veterans and those lost aboard the USS Ommaney Bay during WWII.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Lu Griffith, of San Diego, places her hand on her husband’s niche at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Bill Griffith served in the Navy for 20 years and was a veteran of WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Disabled Vietnam veteran Rick Salde, of Lakeside, pauses while playing his saxophone for his buddy, fellow Vietnam veteran Lonny Parker, who is interned at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Salde played Parker’s favorite song, “How great thou art.”  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Mary Beth Himes, 89, places flowers on the Westwood grave of her husband, John William Himes, a Korean War jet fighter. She recalled her husband having his first reconnaissance flight with John Glenn.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)