Despite the heat on Monday, a sizeable crowd gathered at Memorial Field for the annual Memorial Day Program held by the VFW and American Legion each year.

Veterans from all branches of the U.S. Military, as well as their spouses and families, gathered to pay their respects to those who lost their lives to preserve American freedom.

Before the guest speaker took to the podium, Rod Stone, a representative of VFW Post 3016, asked Veterans of World War II, The Korean War and The Vietnam War to stand and be recognized.

Following the recognition of Veterans, Rev. Steven Kopp delivered the program’s memorial address.

Kopp’s speech was filled with gratitude to those died to fight for freedom.

“There’s many barbeques held on this day,” said Kopp, “Some people even go to the beach and celebrate. But it’s because of the sacrifices that these men and women made in their lives that we have the freedom to have three-day-weekends, barbeques and trips to the beach.”

Kopp also made a point to honor those who came back from war with not only physical wounds, but emotional wounds as well.

“I don’t want to leave here today and not thank and honor those men and women who fought the war and watched a friend die,” said Kopp. “On that day, they died a little bit too.”

Following Kopp’s speech, red, white and blue wreathes were placed at the foot of the monument at Memorial Field to honor the fallen veterans of Selma and Dallas County.