About 100 people gathered to mark Memorial Day in Key Biscayne Monday, where speakers called on the public to remember the sacrifice of service members on a day sometimes seen as the unofficial start of summer.
“Today is about paying respects and honor, respect and honor to those brave men and women who stood up in the defense of the nation. Men and women who selflessly pay the ultimate price in defense of our nation with their lives,” said Jose “Pepe” Diaz, the chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners.
Council Member Luis Lauredo said the sacrifice of the American military has inspired others, noting the bravery of Ukrainian forces fighting off an invasion by Russia. He said the Ukrainians were “spiritual sons and daughters” of American patriots over the years.
The service was moved indoors because of heavy rain that caused some flooding on Key Biscayne. Across the nation, the weather canceled nearly 400 flights Monday with more than 2,300 delays, according to the travel site Flight Aware.