Memorial Day is a time to honor the brave and dedicated men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces, and for many Latinos, it is a day of reflection, pride and a chance to recognize the beauty, diversity and opportunities that make this country such an incredibly powerful place to serve.

On Friday, May 23, Latin Post attended a special event where 17 service members from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard took part in a re-enlistment and promotional ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum as part of Fleet Week.

President Barack Obama marked the opening of the 9/11 Museum at the World Trade Center site on May 15 and the museum officially opened to the public on May 21.

While in attendance at the re-enlistment and promotion ceremony, Latin Post got some insight into what Memorial Day means to Latinos serving in the U.S.

"It means showing respect to our brothers and sisters who fought before us, for saving this country and doing what they did for this country," said Corporal Herman Rodriguez of the U.S Marine Corps, who is of Salvadoran decent.

Friday, May 23 marked the first time that Rodriguez, who is from a small town in North Virginia, visited both New York City and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

"It's unbelievable really. When I first walked up and saw the Memorial, I felt some much pride, just thinking about what used to be here and how long ago it was, it's unbelievable," he added.

"I am very excited. I was just commissioned in February out of 36 highly qualified candidates that applied for my position and they selected only six and among those six, you have this Latina. To me this means a lot," said Puerto Rico native, Igdanis Torres Dominici of the U.S. Navy.

"Right now the Latinos or Hispanics, they represent 15.26 percent of the Navy, so out of 320,000, we are about 50,000, and among them we have only 6.91 percent who are officers and among those officers is me," she added. "So, I have a real connection to what is happening today, at least to me the U.S. Navy has given me the opportunity to improve and take my career to another level. I am very excited and happy to be among our Latinos, representing our Latinos and giving them a voice."

"It's an honor to be back in New York. It's my third time coming to Fleet Week. It's always great time to interact with New Yorkers. It is truly an honor to be given the opportunity to serve. There is no greater feeling to be in a position to help others and to show that you can make it anywhere," said Puerto Rico native Waldamar Sefaro of the U.S. Navy, who is stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.

"[Memorial Day] always brings us back to reflect on the ones that have gone before us. The sacrifice that our brothers and sisters have made -- and continue to make, and we honor them on that day ... and we think about them every day as well."

Memorial Day History

According to the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, "three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans -- the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) -- established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

"The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

"The ceremonies centered around the mourning-draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, once the home of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Various Washington officials, including Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns."