The warm spring weather did not keep a crowd from coming out Monday for this year’s annual Memorial Day event coordinated by the Atmore Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 7016.

VFW Commander Billy Gates kicked off this year’s event with a warm welcome to the crowd. Gates said it is important for Americans to come together to remember those who laid down their lives for their country.

“We are here today to honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice and are now with the supreme commander, wearing his full armor,” Gates said.

Retired Col. Jim Reece, pastor at Atmore’s First United Methodist Church, served as Monday’s guest speaker.

Reece, who served as a chaplain in the United States Military, including tours in Saudi Arabia and South Korea, said those lost in war are never forgotten.

“These are my brothers and sisters in arms,” Reece said. “They died so we could continue to enjoy this way of life we have become accustomed to.”

Following the annual flag replacement ceremony, members of the VFW and American Legion, Post 90 also took time to read the names of all military members from the Atmore Area who lost their lives in service to America.