Turner at Houston Memorial Day ceremony: 'Many gathered to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice'

The annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Houston National Cemetery on Monday (May 30) returned as an in-person event attended by hundreds following a COVID-19 related hiatus, according to reports from Houston-based media outlets. 

"Each year, I am honored to speak at the #MemorialDay ceremony held at Houston National Cemetery," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a tweet. "Many gathered to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy the freedoms we cherish. I enjoyed seeing many attend today and hope many more will attend next year."

Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported that those who attended the ceremony did so out of respect for service members who gave their lives for the country.

Thousands of servicemen and women are interred at the 419.2-acre cemetery, which was established on Dec. 7, 1965, per the station.

An American flag was placed at each grave as is tradition.

A major part of the ceremony is a wreath-laying ceremony, which included Turner and other guests and dignitaries, Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported.

There were small children who were also in attendance, the station reported.

"You want to teach by example and that’s not sitting on the sidelines," an unidentified attendee told KHOU. "You got to get directly involved such as coming to events like this."

According to History.com, the origins of Memorial Day date back to the years following the Civil War.

The holiday was originally known as Decoration Day, and it was designated an official federal holiday in 1971, per the website.

“In our nation today, we recognize the importance of remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our nation,” Houston National Cemetery Council of Greater Houston President Audrea Killalea told Houston NBC affiliate KPRC.