WATCH: San Angelo Honors America's Fallen

SAN ANGELO, TX - Since 2011 Johnson's Funeral Home has celebrated Memorial Day by honoring the fallen in a commemorative ceremony at Lawnhaven Memorial Garden. 

Among the speakers this morning was Colonel Robert G. Ramirez of the 17th Training Wing at Goodfellow Airforce Base. 

"Our honored departed have handed us the torch," says Colonel Ramirez in his address to the many at Lawnhaven Memorial Garden. "They expect us now to secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and for our posterity."

WATCH: SAN ANGELO HONORS AMERICA'S FALLEN

Today's ceremony was unique because it brought together veterans and families of veterans from multiple generations.

"It's a reminder that every generation has a price to pay for our freedom and our liberty," says Colonel Ramirez. "It's great to see that representation from some of our vets here. I know we have Vietnam Vets all the way up to our current conflicts."

For Warren Lange who served two years in Vietnam, Memorial Day is a time to reflect on his family's past.

"My dad served in World War II and my brother was in an active reserve unit," says Lange. 

According to Lange war was the last thing on his mind during the conflict in Vietnam, but it was his father that eased his mind to go ahead and serve his country.

"I didn't want to go. I'm honest with people about that," says Lange. "But my dad said that two years is not that long and it wasn't. To this day I'm thankful that I did my duty for my country, but I lost a good friend in Vietnam and I lost a cousin in Iraq."

As many enter Lawnhaven's Memorial Garden to pay homage to fallen family members and friends Lange offers everyone a few words.

"I feel that this is one day that if anyone sees a veteran on the street, in a store, or anywhere, walk up to them and tell them 'thank you for your service,' because without us you wouldn't have the privileges you have today."