Hundreds gather for Memorial Day Ceremony at Louisiana National Cemetery

ZACHARY, La. (Louisiana First) — Hundreds gathered at the Louisiana National Cemetery for a Memorial Day ceremony to honor those who gave their lives in combat for our freedom.

As a bagpiper performs ‘Amazing Grace,’ loved ones of fallen soldiers and those who want to give thanks for our military take time to remember the cost of freedom.

Keynote speaker, Colonel Darren Spears, a decorated war veteran, said the day has personal meaning for him, since he lost his good friend in battle.

“Doc Stevens was killed in action,” Spears said. “He was killed in action by an improvised explosive device, or I.E.D., as you may know it, that detonated under the left rear tire of the Hum-V he was riding in on that morning patrol. My heart sank. My mind raced in a thousand different directions. I immediately thought of his wife and now four-month-old baby girl. Many other service men and women have similar stories as I do, but they are nowhere near the level of importance of the sacrifice of one to lay down his or her life in defense of the country they love.”

The day’s events included the pledge, national anthem, prayers and wreath laying ceremony.

Organizer Ryan Hannon served in the military as well.

“It’s important to keep everybody’s memory alive,” Hannon mentioned.

The ceremony began at 11 a.m. and lasted for an hour, ending with a gun salute and taps.

Those who lost loved ones laid flowers on their graves, while honoring their sacrifice.

“Every hot dog, every hamburger, every spin around the lake or drink with friends and family, is a debt purchased by others,” Spears said.

Organizers of the ceremony said they work year-round to make the event meaningful.

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