Houstonians honor fallen veterans on Memorial Day

The seats in Houston National Cemetery’s iconic memorial chamber were filled, with nearby headstones adorned with red and blue wreaths and American flags, each placed to honor a fallen hero.

“Memorial Day allows us to remember our fallen heroes: our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters who selflessly served our nation,” Roy Luera, director of the Houston National Cemetery, said in a statement. “As men and women continue to risk their lives around the world, we take time to remember the legacy of excellence of America’s military.”

Keynote speaker Brady Bailey delivered a moving speech.

Featuring bagpipes, honor guards and a 21-gun salute, the ceremony honored the brave men and women who served in the U.S. armed forces. Located in the north side of Houston, the 419-acre cemetery has been the resting place of more than 118,000 veterans and their eligible dependents since its dedication on December 7, 1965.

The ceremony was just one of several Memorial Day events happening Monday in the Houston area.

The Greater Houston area is home to more than 300,000 veterans, making it the second largest veteran population in the United States.