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HONORING THE FALLEN
6,665 died so freedom can endure
TOP--MEMOIRALDAY4-5-27-13
Rear Admiral Donald Gintzig, right, shares a laugh with World War II veteran John Fink who traveled from Florida to attend Sundays 10th annual Memorial Weekend Commemoration at Woodward Park. Fink served 23 years during World War II, the Korean War and the Cold War - photo by HIME ROMERO
By DENNIS WYATTThe BulletinJames Layton grew up in Escalon just 10 miles to the east of Woodward Park as the dove flies.As a kid he did what kids were doing Sunday at the park: laughing, yelling and expending energy on everything from traditional playground equipment to bounce houses.Those kids Sunday seemed oblivious to the solemn remembrance going on nearby as people from throughout Northern California gathered before 6,665 white crosses to make sure the sacrifices of the fallen in the Global War on Terror won’t be forgotten. But that’s OK. It was a fitting tribute to Layton and the 6,664 others being remembered.You see, Layton gave everything so kids can fill the air with the sounds of freedom. It’s not that he wanted to die.