Veterans gathered at the Korean War Memorial in Community Park yesterday to honor those who have fallen in previous and current military conflicts.

Veterans gathered at the Korean War Memorial in Community Park yesterday to honor those who have fallen in previous and current military conflicts.

Memorial Day was Monday, but members of the Jacksonville AMVETS and West Central Illinois Marine Corps took part in an 11 a.m. ceremony yesterday as May 30th is the traditional day to celebrate the holiday.

The speaker at yesterday’s ceremony was Springfield native Terry Vance, who medically retired from the Army due to combat injuries sustained in Vietnam in 1969 after several years of service. Vance was awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart and multiple awards.

He talks about the central message he hoped to deliver to those assembled yesterday.

“To ensure that the lives that have been spent in the wars throughout eternity, those individuals are not forgotten and that their memories should be still alive- not only to the veterans, but to the young people that are in the audience, and those communities that have lost so many men and women,” says Vance.

“You have to understand that only the best die for America.”

Vance says patriotism in Jacksonville is very high.

The combined Veterans Ceremonial Team provided the Honor Guard and the 21-gun salute at yesterday's Memorial Day Services.