RIVERSIDE, Calif. (May 26, 2016) -- California Baptist University faculty, staff and students gathered for a Memorial Day tribute on May 25 to remember American servicemen and women who lost their lives in service to their country.

The ceremony, held at the Addink Flag Plaza, included the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner," laying of a wreath and a rifle salute. CBU's Student Veterans Association (SVA) hosted the event.

Daniel Fragoso, a psychology major and vice president of SVA, spoke about what Memorial Day means to him.

"To me, it seems that too many people have forgotten that true meaning of Memorial Day," said Fragoso, who served in the Army for five years. "Memorial Day is a day in which we honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend this beautiful and free country of ours. To me, it is much a day like Thanksgiving where we give our thanks, appreciation and prayers to the men and women who saw our country was in need of brave people to defend her and chose to answer that call and give their lives for [their country]."

Oscar Valdez, a counseling psychology graduate student and SVA president, said the event is an important reminder never to forget the sacrifices made for the U.S. 

"It is important to observe Memorial Day as a tribute to those lost," said Valdez, who served in the Marines for five years.  "On Memorial Day, we stand as a nation and say to those that they left behind, ‘you lost a loved one, and on this day we stand beside you to mourn those who were lost but not forgotten.'"

The event concluded with members of the American Legion Post 79 of Riverside playing Taps and conducting a rifle salute.