Different from Armed Forces Day and Veterans Day, Memorial Day honors the men and woman who paid the ultimate price to protect our Country. And Monday afternoon, they were celebrated

Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Lafayette held their 52nd annual Memorial Day Trubute.

Gregory Ellison, Lieutenant Colonel of the U.S Army, ret. was the events keynote speaker.

“It honors those who died while in the service to country in the defense of freedom.”

Funeral Home owner, Gene Walters, honored the Distinguished Veteran of the Year, Henry Mcfarlain, Sr. Mcfarlain died in March of this year, and his wife and son received the award in his honor.

“He was really honored to have served in the Marines. He didn’t really talk much about it but you can tell he was proud of his service” said William Mcfarlain, son of the honoree.

Today’s celebration wasn’t only for those who laid down their lives, but also for those missing in action, and the Prisoners of War.

“We need to celebrate it more often because they have given their last full measure of devotion in the defense of freedom of this country. Without them we would not be the land of the free and the home of the brave” said Ellison.