Palm Springs Air Museum Memorial Day Flower Drop

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Fred Bell spoke to the crowd about the significance of Memorial Day beyond just being a holiday. He emphasized that it was a day to honor the brave men and women who wore uniforms, pledged to keep our country safe, and tragically never returned home. Additionally, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the return of our Vietnam POW veterans.

During the ceremony to honor fallen soldiers from WWII, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, more than 30 Gold Star Family members were presented with white roses. Each family member’s lost loved one was mentioned by name. Father Johnson conducted a prayer, and the national anthem was sung. Gregg Miller and others respectfully carried red and white roses to the plane. The event culminated in a Missing Man formation executed by four jets flying over the Air Museum. Today’s event was great except for one little hiccup: the flowers were delayed! The airport had necessary flights that needed to take off and land first. Fred Bell felt terrible about the delay, but it wasn’t his fault. Despite the wait, many people stuck around and patiently waited for the flower drop. In the end, the flowers were dropped at the Air Museum hangars instead, and people gathered there to pick them up and show their appreciation for our brave servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives for our country’s freedom.