Bay Area honors fallen troops on Memorial Day

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Memorial Day celebrations were also held in San Jose and Hayward.

Frances Chidester and her family came to visit her parent's grave site. Her father, Taylor Clark served as a pilot in the navy during World War II.

PHOTOS: Bay Area remembers the fallen on Memorial Day

It was their first time attending the Memorial Day celebration at Oak Hill Cemetary in San Jose. "It hit me harder than I thought. I'm glad I came," Chidester said.

Every year San Jose honors the American men and women who have served in every war and conflict. The vice mayor of this city is also a Vietnam veteran. "I feel a responsibility as a veteran to make sure that I'm a voice for veterans," San Jose Vice Mayor Rose Herrera said.

RELATED: The true reason we celebrate Memorial Day

Also on this day, there was a special service to honor Japanese American veterans.

In the East Bay city of Hayward, locals attended a dedication for a new 9/11 memorial. Engraved on each monolith is the time, city and flight number of each plane that went down that day.

RELATED: How to stay safe on Memorial Day

The new memorial will serve as a gathering site where people can reflect on what happened on 9/11 and the sacrifices made by veterans and first responders.

It was said many times today: "Gone, but never forgotten."

Click here for more stories on Memorial Day.