A respectful crowd gathered at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in light rain Monday afternoon to ask for guidance and strength for those who serve, to pray for eternal rest for those who died,and for peace and comfort for their families.

Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly was the featured speaker at the Memorial Day service at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. He was introduced by Col. Tom Brewer, a former state senator.

Brewer and Kelly thanked those who attended the service in the uncomfortable weather, and those who brought children with them so they might know the importance of the occasion.

"Trust me, it means a lot (that you're here,)" Brewer told the audience.

Brewer just returned from his seventh visit to Ukraine, where burials are a daily occurrence at hundreds of cemeteries across that war-torn country.

On that somber note, Brewer spoke of the care that is taken at U.S. military cemeteries around the world.

No matter where I go, U.S. cemeteries are well-kept," he said. "We can hold our heads high for that, and be proud.

Brewer encouraged people to thank the people who work to keep our cemeteries beautiful.

Kelly thanked those who brought children to the service.

"The young here today can appreciate that this is an important event, and it's good and proper to be extremely proud of our great nation," he said.

Kelly cited Ronald Reagan, who said "Freedom is a fragile thing and it's never more than one generation away from extinction."

He also told a story of the remains of a World War II soldier from Plymouth, Neb. that were recently identified and returned home. The soldier had been buried in a mass grave 82 years ago in Manila.

"Great nations do that," Kelly said. "They reunite the remains of veterans with their loved ones back in the United States."

Tia Cooper sang the national anthem and Fort McPherson Director Matt Hoff gave the welcome address, and spoke of the history of Fort McPherson, which was established in 1873 and cares for the remains of veterans of the Indian Wars and most every war since then.

The invocation was by Brian Gallagher, the chairman of the Fort McPherson Memorial Association.