Hundreds of people turned out for the Memorial Day ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
More than 1,500 people went to the Fort Richardson National Cemetery to pay their respects for the fallen service members as well as the men and women who are fighting today.
The guest speaker was Anita Hanson, the Director of Memorial Programs/Service at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
She told the crowd that the fallen died because some things are worth fighting for and some are even worth dying for, and Memorial Day is a time to remember those sacrifices.
“”It is a day we dedicate to the dead,” Hanson said. “A day we dedicate to those who sacrificed to the ideals, beliefs and values we hold.”
Many people also stopped by family gravesites to drop off new flowers.
The Roberts family, with four of the five adult children, huddled around their father’s grave.
Bruce Roberts was a former airman.
“We always enjoy coming out here to remember him.” Kathy Deschweinitz said about her father, “to honor him and all the veterans in America.”
Contact, Rebecca Palsha
