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Lawndale honors its fallen at Memorial Day ceremony with remarks from Rep. Maxine Waters and Sen. Laura Richardson
Summary
City of Lawndale’s Memorial Day remembrance included readings of local names, an invocation, musical honors, and speeches by U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, State Sen. Laura Richardson and Col. Andrew Derminoski highlighting veterans’ services and recent losses.
City of Lawndale officials and community members gathered at the Lawndale Memorial Wall for a Memorial Day remembrance that included readings of the names of local service members, musical honors, an invocation and speeches from elected and military leaders.
U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, flanked by city leaders, told attendees she remains focused on veterans’ services and housing. "There are more than 16 million veterans in the United States, 1.88 million veterans in California and about 240,000 veterans right here in Los Angeles County," Waters said, urging the public to press for accountability and for programs that expand housing and support to veterans. She described recent federal proposals to expand eligibility for HUD‑VA supportive housing and to allow administrative-flexibility for emergency housing vouchers.
State Sen. Laura Richardson praised local organizers and described the day as a moment to remember generations of sacrifice. Richardson asked attendees not to call those honored "fallen," saying, "They are far from fallen," and read the names of 13 service members lost in recent Iran-related incidents, stressing Memorial Day’s purpose as remembrance of individuals and families.
Colonel Andrew Derminoski, commander of Space Base Delta II, recounted the story of Specialist Contrellas, a Lawndale native who died while serving overseas, and accepted a ceremonial coin from the city. "We stand today in solemn remembrance... their legacy lives on in moments like this," Colonel Derminoski said, framing local ceremony as linked to national service.
The program included a pledge of allegiance led by Youth Advisory Committee Chair Ram Elor, a performance of the national anthem by Jason Hemans and an invocation from Pastor Dwight Dudley, who specifically recognized Gold Star families. Organizers read aloud the names of community members inscribed on the memorial; the mayor noted 23 Lawndale residents have names on the wall.
The ceremony closed with a moment of silence, the planned 21‑gun salute and taps. Mayor Robert Pulland Miles thanked attendees and extended Memorial Day wishes to the community.
Attendance and participants named during the program included Mayor Robert Pulland Miles; Mayor Pro Tem Tim Shirley Quavvis; Council Members Pat Kernney, Bernardes Flores and Frankiscoco Tera; City Clerk Erica Harbison; Acting City Manager Raylette Felton; Acting Captain Tanya Giggles of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; youth leaders and members of Hawthorne High School’s junior naval unit (led by Ronald Gray). Representatives noted as sending regrets included Assembly Member Tina McKenna and Supervisor Holly Mitchell.
