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(Fernley, NV)— The sun was just coming up when families and friends started filing into the Northern Nevada State Veterans Cemetery. “They started arriving around 6 AM,” said Cemetery Superintendent Eric Grimes. “We’re expecting around 3,000 people today,” he said.  
 
The early guests helped set up chairs and prepare for the big event that would happen hours later at 11:00 AM. A slight breeze had kicked in by the time the ceremony started. Grimes’ attendance prediction turned out to be spot on. Nearly 3,000 people gathered under tents and the cemetery pavilion when Nevada Department of Veterans Services Deputy Director Fred Wagar began his opening remarks. 
 
When keynote speaker Nevada Senator Dean Heller took to the podium, he called out two men sitting in the VIP tent; Charles Montanaro and William Lepore. Both men, now in their mid-90’s, had served in WWII as Merchant Marines. “I went into the Merchant Marines because no one else would take me, ” said Montanaro to reporters afterward. “I served alongside a 14-year-old kid, a guy with one eye, and another with a peg leg,” he said. His smiling eyes started to tear up as he added, “The bottom line is we wanted to serve.”  
 
Both men received certificates from Senator Heller, Congressman Mark Amodei and Governor Brian Sandoval for their service before Kevin Tokarski, Associate Administrator with MARAD took to the podium. Tokarski told the crowd Merchant Marines sustained substantial losses during WWII. Boats and ships carrying necessary cargo in war time were important targets of the enemy.  
 
Wagar noticed Montanaro was crying when the Maytan Band played a special musical selection, “Heave Ho, My Lads, Heave Ho,” which is the official song of the Merchant Marines. Wagar said, “He said to me I wish they were all here to see this and be recognized, referring to his fellow Merchant Marines.”  
 
KRNV shares some of the sights and sounds of the day: 
http://mynews4.com/news/local/officials-families-veterans-marking-memorial-day-in-nevada 
 
KTVN’s coverage is here: 
http://www.ktvn.com/story/35538223/annual-memorial-day-service-in-fernley 
 
 
 
KOLO also covered the ceremony: 
http://www.kolotv.com/content/news/Fallen-soldiers-remembered-in-Fernley-ceremony-425183214.html 
 
The RGJ’s Mike Higdon also featured the event:  
http://www.rgj.com/videos/news/2017/05/29/memorial-day-n.-nevada-veterans-memorial-cemetery/102298802/ 
 
 
 
 
The ceremony shined a spotlight on a forgotten  
With performances by the Maytan Band  
 
Charles Montanaro and William Lepore