Cenla residents honor fallen soldiers at Memorial Day ceremony

The Alexandria National Cemetery where flags are placed at the graves of fallen soldiers was the home to a ceremony on Memorial Day.

The VA’s annual event is to honor our fallen heroes and the veterans who returned home.

"It means a lot,” expressed Bernard Williams, Sr. “It means a lot. It was pretty rough over there. But everybody went through the same thing."

Williams is a Korean War veteran.

"A lot of guys came over with me that didn't come back," said Williams.

On Monday, he honored those fallen heroes at the Alexandria National Cemetery.

"Military is my life,” expressed Williams. “I'm 83-years-old and it's always been my life. And always will be."

The annual ceremony includes the playing of Taps, the placing of wreaths, and of course the 21 Gun Salute. Congressman Ralph Abraham even came to share a few words.

"You know the millions of lives that have allowed us to have this service today, you know we should take pause,” said Abraham. “We should take pause and surely bow our heads in reverence."

Volunteers like Honor Guard Commander Perry Fleming said it's not just a ceremony for our fallen heroes, but also the families they've left behind.

"They were here in the United States while that man was over there,” said Fleming. “And they need our prayer, and that's what they're getting today."

These veterans said they do their part for the ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice, but also for themselves.

"Sometimes if I can't do what I want to do, I get depressed,” expressed Fleming. “And that hurts more than the pain. Getting out and being able to do what I’m doing, it's a godsend to me."

And they said it's humbling to see so many people showing their support for soldiers.

"Just know what we went through and what we're going through,” expressed Williams. “Not because we wanted to, because we had to. For America."