As rain fell over Central Texas, people gathered to remember those who have died in war.
At the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, near Fort Hood, retired Command Sgt. Major Elijah King, Jr. stopped to put flags and flowers by a memorial to soldiers in his brigade who died in Iraq during the first deployment.
"It’s important for Americans to remember those who have given their lives, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms that we enjoyed," King said. "If you haven’t served it’s difficult to understand."
Crowds walked along a path behind him to a new memorial at the cemetery.
By the memorial, Patrick Turck read out comments about three Central Texas soldiers who died in combat last year – Spc. Ember Alt, 1st Lt. Jason Togi and Sgt. Lyle Turnbull.
As the gun salute pierced the air, family members placed their hands on the slate and shed tears, while others slowly walked back to their cars beneath umbrellas.
