About 30 people gathered for a somber Memorial Day ceremony at Cedar Grove Cemetery south of Mancos on Monday.

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 5231 and the VFW Auxiliary placed flags and flowers at the graves of veterans in the cemetery and at the veterans memorial in the cemetery. They honored fallen veterans with “Taps” and a rifle salute.

VFW Commander David Johnson gave an emotional speech, saying none have given more to give freedom to others than American veterans.

“Today we pay tribute to those patriots who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.

Johnson also asked that those in attendance remember military service members who are still missing and think about their friends and family members.

Johnson told the crowd that it is important for the youth of tomorrow understand the sacrifice veterans make for their country.

“With heavy hearts, we remember those lost,” Johnson said.

jacobk@the-journal.com