Memorial Day: Veterans stand guard over Boyle Heights monument for 24 hours

BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Veterans stood guard over the Mexican-American All Wars Memorial in Boyle Heights Monday as the nation pauses to remember our fallen veterans on this Memorial Day.

Veterans took turns standing guard at the monument since 10 a.m. Sunday for the 24-hour event.

Vietnam War veteran and retired Army Sgt. Howard Hernandez said he got very emotional during his turn to stand guard. He said he recalled many of his friends and fellow service members who never made it back home after battle.

"It's a lot of sacrifice. A lot of these young families don't realize, a lot of the people in the United States just don't realize the impact it has on an entire family and community," Hernandez said. "It stays with you. It never goes away."

Following the end of the 24-hour vigil, another Memorial Day event is scheduled to take place at the monument in the 3300 block of East Cesar Chavez Avenue.

Watch Q McCray's report from Eyewitness News at 6 a.m. above.