It was a cloudy morning as onlookers gathered Monday at Lawrence cemeteries to remember the fallen heroes of the U.S. military.

“You can’t forget to memorialize those that have died for our country or you have no real nation at all,” said Army Lt. Col. John Basso, an ROTC military science professor at Kansas University.

About 50 people attended the ceremony at Oak Hill Cemetery sponsored by American Legion Dorsey-Liberty Post 14.

Basso, surrounded by flag bearers and veterans, spoke about the importance of recognizing both fallen soldiers and those still serving in the military.

“We thank the young men and women supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies,” Basso said.

During another Memorial Day ceremony in Memorial Park Cemetery, Capt. Thomas Arnold, commanding officer for the Naval ROTC unit at KU, spoke about remembering those who paved the way for today’s servicemen and women.

“Our service is built on the foundation of the service that they’ve provided for many, many years to our country. It’s always very meaningful for us to come out and honor those that have gone before us,” Arnold said.

Jerry Karr, who served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970, attended the ceremony in Memorial Park that was sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He said it was an emotional day as he thought about friends buried around the country.

“It’s my way of visiting all of them and thinking about them,” Karr said. “They gave all of their tomorrows for our today.”