IGO, Calif. - People in Shasta County honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice, protecting our country.
Every year, Robert Trygar comes to the Northern California Veterans Cemetery, where he honors and remembers both his parents.
“I’m here to honor the memory of my mom and dad, Ray and Ronnie Trygar,” said Robert Trygar of Redding. “My dad was a Pearl Harbor survivor.”
Trygar’s father also served with the National Forest Services and brings Smokey the Bear to commemorate his father. He also brings an Oscar the Grouch toy to honor his brother who was an engineer with Cal Fire. Trygar snaps photos with these mementos and sends them to family out of state.
“It's a little tradition that I've done for their grandchildren especially those who live out of California,” said Trygar.
Just like Trygar, Robert Schaffer also has a strong connection to the cemetery and visits the Northern California Veterans Cemetery every year.
“I have a lot of family out here and I have a deep history of army vets and navy vets,” said Schaffer. “We come out just to the honor for the freedoms we have.”
Both Trygar and Schaffer tell Action News Now say they will continue to keep coming to the cemetery on Memorial Day for as long as they can.
“I’m not ready to retire from this just yet and know I’m not getting any younger,” said Trygar. “I need to start bringing the younger generation on board.”
“This is something we will continue,” said Schaffer.