Former USS North Carolina Battleship crew member helps honor service men and women

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A 21-gun salute closed out the 51st Annual Memorial Day Observance at the USS North Carolina Battleship.

Current and former military members were there to honor the men and woman who gave their lives in service to the United States.

Former crew members of the USS North Carolina were there and that included Lou Popovich.

Popovich said he served on the ship as a first class seaman in the 1940’s. Popovich, who lives in Long Island, NY , said it’s an amazing feeling to see the battleship whenever he comes to visit the Port City.

“It just brings back a lot of memories that we had when we first came aboard as young boys,” said Popovich. “It was quite impressive to see something like this. I never saw a large ship like this.”

Popovich said Memorial Day is so important because it recognizes all the sacrifices that people have made.