Members of the VFW Ironton Post 8850 hosted a Veteran’s Day ceremony at Woodland Cemetery’s Soldiers Plot Monday morning to honor all those who have served.

“We are here today as living testimonies of the fallen, that freedom is not free,” said guest speaker and Navy veteran Dean Palmer as he addressed the crowd. “This is a reminder of the sacrifice and the values that make America the great country that it is.”

Master of Ceremonies Louie Sheridan says that the spirit of Veteran’s Day is to remind people about the men and women who served and came home to continue to contribute to America’s daily operations.

“Memorial Day is for our fallen,” Sheridan said. “Today is about all those veterans who came home and went to work. They’re teaching our kids, building our houses, they are doing the things that make our society go.”

A crowd of about 40 people gathered on the picturesque morning, but Sheridan says that doesn’t take anything away from the message of the event.

“Would I like for there to be 2,000 people out in the audience?” Sheridan asked. “Of course I would, but my hope is those that came will take our message and share it with their friends.”

Accompanying Palmer’s speech were patriotic songs by Susan Taylor who sang “The “Star Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful.”

“Susan you wowed us again,” Sheridan said.

The VFW honor guard closed the ceremony with a 21-gun salute while the bugler played “Taps.”