Memorial Day is a day to honor American soldiers who died serving our country. In Kansas City, representatives from the World War I Museum and Memorial held a ceremony to honor fallen service men and women not with us today.
The ceremony included honors for POW and MIA veterans, as well as Gold Star Mothers, who lost their veteran children.
The museum expected between 1,000 and 2,000 visitors.
Veterans said they hope everyone will take a moment to appreciate our freedom.
“When you see a veteran, thank him. A lot of times those two words mean more than anything else. It goes a long way,” said Arnold Swift, member of Vietnam Veterans of America, Local Chapter 243. “They also need to understand that freedom comes with a cost, and that cost was dear.”
For nine-year military veteran Ed Mardiat, the message of Memorial Day is simple.
“The biggest thing is to never forget. We always tend to live in today. We’re always in such a hurry about what's going on today, but on days like Memorial Day, it gives us an opportunity to remember the past and appreciate our freedom,” said Mardiat.
There was also a ceremony at 2 p.m. to dedicate memorial bricks in front of the World War I Memorial. More than 100 bricks were officially added.
The National WWI Museum and Memorial is free to veterans on Memorial Day and half price for everyone else.
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