"Whenever I hear that (taps) played, I think of my fellow soldiers that were lost," said Nicholas Paraschak, 93, of Coaldale.
Master Sgt. Paraschak served in the 364th Fighter Group for the Army Air Forces, where he was a flight surgeon's assistant. "I think of them with sadness but I'm proud of them, too."
Paraschak said it also made him feel proud to see members of the Panther Valley High School JROTC Batallion conduct the ceremony.
Working in teams, the students raised the flag, gave a three-gun salute, and presented the colors. The huge American flag was purchased through the efforts of Coaldale VFW Post 6982, coordinated by Paraschak.
The ceremony was held Tuesday at the Coaldale Complex.
The memorial flag raising was held to honor World War II veterans, especially those who died April 7 at Iwo Jima 75 years ago. More than 7,000 Marines were killed there.
William M. Gaddes, one of the event's organizers, said the country's veterans are counting on youngsters to take up the challenge. Staff Sgt. U.S. Air Force William Gaddes was a B-29 tail gunner in the Korean War.
"The safety and survival of the nation depends on your love of our nation, your patriotism, your commitment and your courage," he said. "We veterans and our families are counting on you."
Military pride is in evidence at Panther Valley High School.
"With 108 students in the JROTC, that's almost one quarter of the school's student population," said Maj. Gerald New, who with Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Jordan runs the program for the school.
"It (the JROTC) is a leadership course, taught in a business style, which teaches critical thought while building individual confidence we incorporate what the students are learning in their school subjects and teach them how to apply that knowledge."
Gaddes said today's military personnel are facing new challenges that didn't exist during past conflicts.
"Telephone calls were impossible and only small lightweight letters called V mail were permitted," Gaddes said. "However, they were confident in the fact that their loved ones were secure back in the United States."
Directing his remarks to the students, he told them that warfare has radically changed.
"Modern cyber technology will permit you to maintain verbal, even visual, contact with your families," Gaddes said.
"There is a disturbing downside, however cyber warfare has not only threatened our military, it has become personal and potentially deadly for the warrior's family."
He told students, "I know that you will be up to the challenge."
