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KIRKSVILLE, MO -- Flags were flying all across the Heartland on this Memorial Day to remember those who have served our country.

In Kirksville, the Adair County Veterans Organization hosted a Memorial Day Ceremony at Rieger Armony Monday morning.

Local veterans and the local public gathered  to remember all the men and women in our armed forces who fought for our country's freedom and honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Director of the Veterans Service Program for the Missouri Veterans Commission and Navy Veteran, Doug Meyer, was the featured speaker and said we should always remember the real special meaning behind this holiday.

"I want people to take a bit of Memorial Day with them every day. People just to take time and think about what we can do to make sure to continue to have the freedoms that are so important to us, and that we enjoy so very much," Meyer said

Meyers also added we should always thank our veterans for all that they do for our country.

The ceremony was concluded with the placing of the wreath, a gun salute, and honors.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was declared a national holiday in 1971 on the last Monday in May to remember our fallen soldiers.