Fourteen fallen heroes from the South Bay who lost their lives while serving their country in the War on Terror were honored Monday through an exhibit at the Chula Vista Library.

The pictures of the heroes hung among those of nearly 700 service members from California on display.
A crowd of more than a hundred people gathered this afternoon. Members of the military took park in the Exhibition Opening Ceremony. Gold Star mothers were recognized with a presentation of valor.
Martha Bachar lost her son Marine Corporal Salem Bachar in 2006.

“It is very important for the new generations that our heroes won’t be forgotten,” she said.
Marine Corporal Bachar served two tours in Iraq. He went to the Defense Language Institute and studied Arabic, so that he could be an interpreter.

Bachar attended Chula Vista High School. His mother says he was popular and called him the male version of a social butterfly. He was a wrestler and tennis player.

She says he loved being a Marine.

His mother says being at that memorial in Chula Vista reminds her of when they used to come there when she was little.

“He used to run around these shelves in this building,” she said. “Many times, I brought him here to read his books, to do his homework, so to me this is good memories and sad memories.”

Bachar is one of more than a dozen Fallen Heroes from Chula Vista being remembered at The South Bay Fallen Hero Exhibition along with 710 members of the armed services from California who have died since September 11.

The exhibition is on display in the Veterans Wing of the Chula Vista Library through May 14th.