Bay Area Mom Remembers Son Who Died On Memorial Day 2003 In Iraq
ARLINGTON, Va (KCBS)--While ceremonies are planned across the Bay Area and the country this Memorial Day, one Bay Area mother -- whose son was killed in the line of duty -- believes the best way to honor the fallen heroes is to help the ones that make it back home.
Today Karen Meredith of Mountain View remembers her son Kenneth Ballard—her only child—a tank officer who was killed in Iraq in during a firefight with insurgents with on Memorial Day 2004.
Bay Area Mom Remembers Son Who Died On Memorial Day 2003 In Iraq
"It's been nine years this weeks so it's a hard week for us here," she said.
Ballard, who was 26 years old when he was killed, had joined the Army right after high school became a lieutenant by 2003. He also served in Bosnia and Macedonia.
Now buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Meredith, along with family and friends, is here on Monday to celebrate his life and dedication to his country.
She said that in order to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country we should help out surviving veterans.
"One percent of our population is serving in the military and carrying the burden of these wars so I don't think we can ever do enough for veterans," Meredith said.
"They put their lives on hold to serve their country when so many people stayed home."
Memorial services were being held all over the Bay Area including a large gathering at the Presidio in San Francisco and smaller one at the Lafayette crosses near the Bart station.
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