Soldiers, family and friends gathered on a cool sunny day, May 27, to pay respect to those who have served or are serving the United States in war. The fourth annual ceremony was held outdoors in front of the Veterans War Memorial, spearheaded by Round Lake resident Wayne Maczko. Read his story here. Sponsored by the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County and the CLC Veterans Memorial Task Force, the event included a welcome by U.S. Army Col. Michael Peck. After an opening prayer by U.S. Navy Cmdr. Walderma Kilian, Sheila Baker Bondurant sang the national anthem. Keynote speaker US Army Major Charles Nystrom spoke about the origin of Memorial Day. Two soldiers demonstrated the 13 folds of the flag and Shannon Maczko read the names of fallen soldiers from Lake County who were stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq. A bagpiper, Don Larson, performed "Amazing Grace." TribLocal photos by Sheryl DeVore