OCEANSIDE, Calif. -- Surfers and military veterans held a traditional "paddle-out'' ceremony Sunday in Oceanside to pay tribute to the more than 58,000 Americans who died in the Vietnam War.

The 1 p.m. event was held at the Oceanside Pier.

Surfers hold paddle-out ceremonies, a Hawaiian tradition, to pay tribute to someone who has died. Surfers join hands in a large circle while sitting on their boards.

Organizers said the event included Hawaiian music and dancers, a helicopter flyover and a 21-gun salute. Guests will include Medal of Honor recipients and a Marine Corps color guard.

The idea for the memorial paddle-out was the brainchild of Jerry Anderson, a Marine Corps veteran of Vietnam and an avid surfer who owns a graphics company.