SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - On this day, we are asked to take a moment to remember the sacrifices of our military personal.
Matt Blackburn was walking home from school on that May Day in 1972, when his grandfather picked him up.
"He didn't say much on the way home, but when we got closer to the house I could see there was a lot of Navy personal there, and I know that something had happened," said Matt.
Matt's dad was a fighter pilot was on his third deployment to Vietnam when he was shot down.
"Of course, he never returned. He was a POW for awhile, never returned," continued Matt.
Today three generations of Harry Lee Blackburns family were paying their respects to their fallen hero, to the son, they'll never forget, the dad they hardly knew, and the grandfather they'll never meet.
Jason William Moore was just 21-years-old, when he died in plane crash, while serving in Iraq. The entire Barton family was to honor their friend and fellow Marine.
The Barton's know they face an uncertain future with an Afghanistan deployment coming in July.
Michele Schwoch biked all the way from Encinitas to Point Loma to visit both her mom and her dad.
"My dad was actually German and joined when he was 17," she said.
Michele's dad served three tours of duty in Vietnam, while her mother raised six kids.
"He's was very strong, a man's man and my mom was just amazing," Michele continued.
Uniquely different stories, united in a common theme, to recognize sacrifices made by families, friends and parents to preserve our precious freedoms.
