TOGUS (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- The men and women who have died serving their country were honored Monday morning at Maine's only national cemetery.
A crowd gathered to pay their respects at Togus National Cemetery. Wreathes were laid in the East and West sections of the cemetery as well as a 21 gun salute and Taps. The exercises were put on by the Maine Department of Veterans Affairs in Augusta.
"Solemn ceremony like this where we see the gravestones, we understand the ultimate sacrifice that they paid," said director of VA Maine Healthcare, Ryan Lilly. "A time for us to pause and really give thanks to their service."
Marine Corp Veteran Raymond Moinester had his brother, Robert, in his thoughts during the exercises. After Robert was killed in Vietnam in 1968 serving his country, it inspired Moinester to join the service. Every day is Memorial Day in his opinion.
"Not only think about those who are killed in action, but the families left behind," said Moinester. "There's a big hole for all of us."
New burials have been closed at Togus National Cemetery since 1961, although spouses of veterans have been allowed to be buried there since then.