(PUEBLO, Colo.) — The community gathered under the Veterans Bridge at the Pueblo Riverwalk on Memorial Day to remember the men and women of the armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Numerous veteran organizations hosted the 4th annual Memorial Day event on Monday, May 26. Marine Corps veteran Thomas Medina, a guest speaker for Monday’s event, said it’s important to remember those who have sacrificed for our freedoms, as those sacrifices can help guide our future as a nation.

“If you forget those people, and if you forget those sacrifices, you’re going to be doomed in the future,” said Medina. “If you don’t remember where you came from, you’re not going to know where you’re going.”

Community members gathered across Southern Colorado, not just in Pueblo, to place flags at the graves of veterans, and to pay their respects to the men and women who have served.