Ninety-one year old World War 2 veteran Frank Love bowed his head over the flowers laid at the memorial in the center of Albion Village, a testament to those service men and women who went before him.

“Thank you for all the comrades who laid down their lives for our country...,” Love said as he led a prayer during the 9 a.m. Memorial Day parade and ceremonies on the town’s main street.

A nose gunner in a B24 who served in the 780th Bomb Squardron, 15th Air Force, Love stood at attention and saluted as paraders carried the American flag to the memorial.

“It’s important to honor these men, they gave their lives for this nation,” Love said. “I’m 91, you know. This may be the last time for me. I’m hoping that the Lord watches over me for another year.”

The small, but dedicated Memorial Day parade group — with the Lawrence High School Band, Boys Scouts, veterans, members of Washburn Brann Ward 195 American Legion and children — marched under sunny skies to show their reverence for veterans who sacrified their lives so Americans could enjoy freedom, according to parade leader Allen Holmes, a first Lt. in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

“This is my 37th year,” said Holmes, who an hour later would lead many of the same marchers in a parade through China Village to China Cemetery for a short memorial service there.

Holmes, along with other flag bearers would stand at attention atop the high slope of the China Cemetery overlooking China Lake, flag fluttering in the gentle breeze. Other marchers and spectators circled the road below as speaker Ronald Morrell urged them to “be good trustees of the freedoms” that had been given them by veterans.