On a cold and dreary Monday morning, hundreds of people huddled in the wind to honor the fallen on Memorial Day at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery south of Mandan along Highway 1806.

Three Black Hawk helicopters flew over four flags at the center of the cemetery, which was encircled by 50 U.S. flags, all at half mast.

"On this windy and gusty Memorial Day, let us pledge that we will never forget those that have served and those that have sacrificed," said Sen. Ken Conrad, D-N.D. "They will always be in our memory."

The circled rows of headstones were strewn with flowers, flags and mourners. Among the mourning was Roxie Schmidt, a 52-year-old dental and oral surgeon assistant who came with her father Hubert Wolff, an Army-Air Force veteran.

The two came together to honor her mother and his wife, Dee, who died just one year ago.

Looking out the window of the warm chapel and visitor center overlooking the cemetery, Schmidt and Wolff waited with other people, away from the cold and overcast sky.

Wolff served in WWII. He will one day be buried along with his wife in the cemetery. He remembers many fellow servicemen who are buried - some bombed Germany with him as a part of the 305th Bomber Squad.

"It's pretty gruesome for me," Wolff said on Memorial Day's meaning.

For these two, the day carried a different kind of significance. While remembering veterans, the two also mourn their family member who was not in military service.

"We're here for a couple of different reasons," said Schmidt.

But Schmidt said it is important for her to honor those like her father. Like many others in attendance, she was inspired by the large turnout of supporters there to pay tribute to fallen veterans.

"They were different in many ways, but they are united by their service and united in our respect that we have,"said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, the adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard. "They all have garnered our unending gratitude."

Vice Adm. Jeffrey Fowler, the superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy and a Bismarck native was the keynote speaker of the ceremony.

Fowler highlighted the past victories of the U.S. military in defeating fascism and communism. He said that in order to honor the fallen veterans, U.S. liberties must not be taken for granted.

"We must always remember that freedom isn't free," he said. "Someone must bear the burden."

Fowler concluded his speech by asking those in attendance to carry with them the message of service to those who are uniformed or misinformed.

"There is no higher honor than serving our nation in war time," Fowler said.