On Monday, veterans’ organizations in Beaufort County met with the public at Veterans Park for a Memorial Day service to honor fallen troops who have given their lives for the land of the free.

Melba Sayers, the commander of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, unit 48, said the service was held to recognize all veterans who have served our country — fallen, active or retired. Several veterans’ organizations in Beaufort County were in attendance, including the American Legion, Post 15, the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 48, the DAVA, Unit 48 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The event, sponsored by the DAV, Chapter 48 and DAVA, Unit 48, featured the posting of the colors by 1^st Sgt. Beattie, the Washington High School Jr. ROTC and veterans’ organizations in Beaufort County, Sayers said.

A quartet, Men ‘n a Chord performed several patriotic selections, including “God Bless America,” the National Anthem and “America the Beautiful.”

The guest speaker, former mayor of Washington and 30-year Coast Guard veteran, Stewart Rumley, spoke to the audience, acknowledging active, reserved and retired military members and commented on a job well done by those who have served.

Rumley said Memorial Day was about honoring those who have died in serving our country in the Armed Forces, noting the passing of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act by Congress, which took four holidays, including Memorial Day and moved it from their traditional date to a specified Monday.

“We are here to honor real people — sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers,” Rumley said. “They are loved and they were loved and they are missed.”

Rumley also spoke about Memorial Day primarily being about honoring the dead, but how we need to also think about the living. Over a million people from Valley Forge to Afghanistan have given their lives for this country. However, millions of people have come home with severe injuries — both mental and physical — and we have an obligation to take care of them, he said.

“They made a commitment to us and at the same time, we, as a nation, incurred a sacred obligation to them upon their return home — to heal their wounds, rebuild their lives and care for their survivors,” Rumley said.

In closing, Rumley said Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance and thanked all veterans for their service.

“Where would we be without their personal sacrifice?” Rumley said. “We praise those who have given up their tomorrows for our todays. For the love of country, they accepted death.”