HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - News 3 salutes the men and women who gave their lives while serving in the armed forces.
Throughout Hampton Roads, there are ceremonies, parades, and more to honor those who have served.
In Portsmouth, the Memorial Day parade has been a tradition since 1884 and is one of the nation's longest-running Memorial Day parades.
Before the parade at 9 a.m., there was a special edition of Coast Live, celebrating positivity in Portsmouth.
At 10 a.m. On WGNT Channel 27 and WTKR.com, we broadcasted the City Of Portsmouth's Memorial Day Parade live and commercial-free.
To honor Memorial Day in Hampton, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Hampton National Cemetery.
Taps played as a group gathered early Monday morning for the ceremony.
Each grave had an American flag placed on it and several people spoke about the importance of remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
News 3 spoke with a veteran who lost four of his comrades while serving in the army during the Vietnam War, as well as Congresswoman Elaine Luria.
"We laughed together we cried together we fought okay but we were friends we were brothers," Leo Kudel, an Army veteran, said.
"I think Memorial Day is a very solemn holiday. Obviously a lot of people take advantage of it being a holiday weekend and the kickoff of the summer, but being here at the veterans' cemetery in Hampton ... I think it's way to remember those we lost who made the ultimate sacrifice," Luria said.
