Luke and Karli Rawlins, their two young daughters and baby were just one of the dozens of families who spent Memorial Day the way it was truly meant to be observed — by remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

“We’ve been coming here for this (the Turlock Memorial Day ceremony) for the third year. We like to bring our girls just to give them the opportunity to really appreciate what Memorial Day means and be thankful for our armed forces,” said Karli Rawlins.

Honoring those men and women who served their country to the fullest was the focus of the event held at the Turlock Memorial Park cemetery on Monday morning.

The event took place amidst the hundreds of flags lining the pathways of Turlock Memorial Park and with the help of Turlock Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5059 and Turlock American Legion Post 88. The Hilmar Community Band once again paid tribute to those who served with their patriotic tunes and the Turlock Honor Guard performed a 21-gun salute.

“We’re here because we remember, we remember that freedom has a cost, and that cost has been paid time and again by brave men and women who put on a uniform and stepped forward when others stepped back,” said Stanislaus County Supervisor Vito Chiesa.

Turlock Mayor Amy Bublak, who was also representing Congressman Adam Gray, talked about putting aside politics to think about the country that embraces both the red and blue of our nation’s flag.

“We are all here because somebody gave their life, many people, so that we could have our flag and we could have our rights. So through all the politics, let’s focus on the people who gave their lives and their families that are still here…today is their day. We celebrate their memory and only them,” said Bublak.

The special speaker for this year’s event was United States Army Staff Sergeant Darrin Williams of the 75th Ranger Regiment. He was a recipient of two Purple Hearts, one Bronze Star with Valor, one Silver Star and a was a 2025 inductee to the Ranger Hall of Fame.

Instead of talking about himself, however, Staff Sgt. Williams recounted the sacrifice one soldier who gave the ultimate sacrifice, Ranger Robert Tilton, to shield his brothers in arms from an enemy attack.

“Because of his swift, selfless actions, his teammates were able to make it back. They came home to their families. They came home to their children and their futures. Robert gave them those futures. He bought those lives at a price that can never be overridden. This is the heartbeat of Memorial Day,” Williams said.

Soldiers from Turlock who have died during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan include:

— Capt. Raymond Dwayne Hill II: An Army National Guard Captain who died Oct. 29, 2005 in Iraq.

— Sgt. 1st Class Chad Gonsalves: A Green Beret who died Feb. 13, 2006 in Afghanistan.

— Sgt. Dale Brehm: An Army Ranger who died on March 18, 2006 in Iraq.

— Army Spc. Benjamin Carlos Pleitez: An Army medic who died July 27, 2012 in Afghanistan.