San Francisco Pays Tribute To Fallen At Presidio

  By Katie Hammer

May 28- KGO (KGO) -- San Francisco held its special tribute to America's war dead this Memorial Day. It took place during the 139th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the Presidio.

Hundreds of people gathered at the national cemetery in the Presidio. The people are here to honor the more than 35,000 veterans and their dependents that are buried here along with all of those across the country who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Many Bay Area residents have relatives buried here. They say every Memorial Day they come to pay tribute. This is the city s 139th annual celebration. Today's kick off with a Parade through the Presidio and end at the ceremony at the cemetery.

Congressman Tom Lantos will address the large group. After the ceremony park rangers will lead walks through the cemetery to highlight the final resting place for medal of honor recipients. One Iraqi veteran was honoring the brave men and women that came before him. He says it feels good to be honored on a day set aside for military veterans and he said he is prepared for a second tour of duty in Iraq if he is called.

Nicholas Sutton, Iraq Veteran: "It could have been me, on one these grave sites, very closely could have been me here so I'm glad it's not me in one of theses graves and I can be here."

Frank Caufield, visiting grandfather's grave: "I want to make sure that he knows and appreciates all the history that our family has in the area and in the military."

Some of veterans that are buried here date back to the 1846 war with Mexico. This annual event usually attracts about 2,000 people. It is one of the largest Memorial Day events in the country.

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