'A special day to remember those who have given the final and ultimate sacrifice'

Celeste Gamache served 20 years in the United States Air Force, including two tours in Afghanistan.

Gamache, of Denver, joined other military veterans, families, friends and loved ones at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver for the annual Memorial Day ceremony in honor of service members who died in the line of duty.

“There are a lot of people who have lost their lives defending our freedom and this country, and we can never forget them,” Gamache said.

Prayers were said along with speeches honoring service members. Before the ceremony, flags were placed on every grave at the cemetery. More than 100,000 veterans are buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

“Memorial Day is about those who have actually given their lives. While we will remember veterans all year long, this is a special day to remember those who have given the final and ultimate sacrifice,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Scheffel of the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.

President Donald Trump and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis ordered flags at public buildings to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to noon on Memorial Day.

“(The Memorial Day ceremony) makes me cry," said Kevin Sharp, executive officer of the Mountain View Young Marines, who work to develop boys and girls into responsible citizens. "Honoring people who gave their lives means the world to me."