Memorial Day weekend at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery

Ginny Dan Van Hespen spelled out “dad” with rocks and placed flowers for her father, a Navy veteran who survived Pearl Harbor.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Ron Bacong of San Diego visits Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, where his sister, Navy Lt. Florence Choe, is buried. She died in Afghanistan in 2009. “One thing she taught me is to fight for what you believe in,” Bacong said. “I miss her every day. She is my inspiration.” Choe is survived by her husband and her daughter, who is now 5.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Nathaniel Marley, 4, at the grave of Navy SEAL Michael Anthony Monsoor. Monsoor won the Medal of Honor for bravery in Iraq in 2006.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Ron Piercey of Phoenix repositions flags that were blown over by the wind at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery on Point Loma in San Diego. “Every time I come up here, I tear up,” Piercey said.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Nihil Smith of San Diego honors Gordon Alseth, a Navy chief sonar technician. Smith and Alseth worked at Honeywell, where they became good friends. “He was one great fried,” Smith said. “You don’t get many like him.”  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)