Alexandria — A crowd of more than 75 people gathered May 28 to pay tribute to Alexandria's veterans in a Memorial Day ceremony held at Alexandria National Cemetery.

“It is the soldier, above all others, who prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war,” said Gen. Donald Fick, quoting Gen. Douglas MacArthur in his remarks to the crowd. “Let us always remember the sacrifice our veterans have made so that we may enjoy the freedoms we have today.”

Hosted by American Legion Post 24, the ceremony culminated with the laying of wreaths at the grave sites of former Legion commanders. Earlier in the week, members of Post 24 laid wreaths in honor of Alexandria veterans at the World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Alexandria World War I Memorial, the Confederate Soldiers Memorial at Christ Church and the Unknown Soldier of the Revolutionary War Memorial at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House.

“After 9/11, America learned that we are not free from acts of violence — that we are not untouchable,” said Fick, who paused several times to gain his composure while remembering Alexandria's fallen soldiers. “So today, let us pray for peace so that no heroes will have to die for us again.”