DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Dozens of people gathered at Fairview Park for a Memorial Ceremony. The event honored the lives of service members who died while serving the country. 

"We celebrate  Memorial Day is to honor those that have fallen before us that took the oath and went on the battlefield," said Gregory Collins, Superintendent of Macon County VAC. "We feel that we owe that to a generation of people that lost their lives." 

Collins was happy to see a variety of age ranges attending the event, as younger generations learned the true meaning of Memorial Day. A group of local scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance and helped guard the memorial wreaths. 

"It's an absolute honor to be here and I would do this a million times over," said Talford Eppard, with Troop 6043. " It's important to remember all of our fallen heroes and it is important to teach our youth, especially, the importance of the sacrifice that they gave us." 

Several local veterans organizations and auxiliaries placed memorial wreaths in honor of Memorial Day. 

This year's guest speaker was Sergeant First Class Leah Medina. She has more than two decades of military experience. 

Medina spoke about the need to remember and thank service members and carry on the legacy of those who passed away. 

"We honor them by not taking a single day for granted," said Medina. "We honor them by being good neighbors, by serving our communities and upholding the values they died to defend. Whether you are a veteran still serving or a patriotic citizen who loves this country, we all have a role to play in keeping their memory alive." 

Following the ceremony, the group travelled to Graceland Fairlawn Cemetery to pay respects at the Korean War Veterans Memorial. 

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