A woman pays tribute during a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 81st anniversary of Lugou Bridge Incident, in Monterey Park, California, the United States, on July 7, 2018. Japanese troops attacked Chinese forces at Lugou Bridge, also known as Marco Polo Bridge,on July 7, 1937, marking the beginning of Japan's full-scale war against China during World War II. (Xinhua/Zhao Hanrong)

LOS ANGELES, July 7 (Xinhua) -- To commemorate the 81st anniversary of Lugou Bridge Incident, American Chinese World War II Memorial Monument Association (ACWWMMA) held a memorial ceremony on Saturday in Monterey Park, an East Los Angeles suburban city.

"The purpose of today's ceremony is to remind the communities in Southern California of what happened in history," said Mayor Stephen Lam. "We all shall know the freedom we enjoy today is based on the sacrifices of numerous heroes in World War II."

Japanese troops invaded Beijing in July 1937, attacking Chinese forces at Lugou Bridge, also known as Marco Polo Bridge. Lugou Bridge Incident marked the beginning of Japan's full-scale war against China during World War II.

ACWWMMA, a non-profit organization founded in California in 2010, has successfully influenced the city to build a monument in front of the city hall dedicated to fallen American and Chinese heroes who fought shoulder to shoulder in World War II, the first of its kind in the United States.

"The installation of this monument is a reminder to all Chinese Americans that today's peace results from the lost lives of many American and Chinese soldiers and civilians in the campaign against the Japanese invasion," said Peter Ng, former chairman of Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in Los Angeles.

Aside from local officials and Chinese community leaders, the ceremony attracted dozens of local high school students.

"It is a meaningful event," said Katherine Chen, a student at Mark Keppel High School. "It is very important to understand and acknowledge that what those heroes did is why we are where we are today."