‘We are Remebering’, Veteran shares story of fallen friend on Memorial Day

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- On Memorial Day, the names, ages and hometowns of every U.S. service person killed in Afghanistan and Iraq were read in Troy field.

The event, formally known as “We Are Remembering – Not Just A Number,” has been going for 19 years. The names are read in front of a field of plaques which bear the names of a fallen service members.

This year, the memorial held particular significance for Francisco Hernandez, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran. Hernandez who came to look for a name from his past.

Hernandez was searching for Alan Carbaugh, his crew mate in the Coast guard.

Hernandez recalled the fateful day, Carbaugh and he were on a ship on the Columbia River when it caught fire.

"...His name was called. And he made the ultimate sacrifice. We were friends. There’s not a day that goes by that I (don't) think about him." Hernandez said.

With help from the event organizer, Tracy Miller, Hernandez found that name. But the point of this event is not just names and numbers, it is a living memorial which tells stories like this.

“We Are Remembering – Not Just A Number” is seeking volunteers for the upcoming year’s reading. The event’s website provides additional information and offers a stream of the reading.

For next year, the organization plans to add a memory book for deceased Central Oregon veterans from every conflict. They are looking for volunteers to assist with this project.