Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Memorial Day honors the fallen — and, on Monday, provided a history lesson — at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

Hundreds of people attended and heard and saw the Springfield Municipal Band, the Land of Lincoln Chorus sang, and VFW and American Legion members paid tribute.

On display were, as one could expect, American flags.  Jimmy Allen, cemetery director, says large flags that are a part of the “Avenue of Flags” show and tell stories, long and short, of service and sacrifice.

“In a final act of honor, these flags were donated through the wishes of the veteran, or upon request by the families to fly again, now serving as guardians of memory,” said Allen.  “A few among them are even 48 star flags, having once covered the caskets of those who fought in World War II.”

Reps. Nikki Budzinski and Mary Miller spoke as well.  Budzinski says with veterans serving in World War II and Iraq in her family, the importance of the day is never lost on her.

“On this Memorial Day and every day, I carry with me an unshakable appreciation for the brave individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service to our nation,” said Budzinski (D-Springfield).

Budzinski says she’s continuing to work on legislation benefitting military members currently serving, but also for veterans, including reducing VA backlogs, and getting veterans mental health care, among other services.

Miller, meanwhile, invoked the words of Abraham Lincoln, who was responsible for commissioning the first fourteen cemeteries in 1862.

“In his Gettysburg Address, Lincoln said, ‘We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground,'” said Miller.

Miller also spoke of support for active duty military and veterans, and says she wants to help them as much as she can, too.

Each simple white gravestone at the cemetery had a flag in front of it.  Some also had floral arrangements.  Butler said all have stories to tell, and he encourages people to not just look at the gravestones, but to find connections in them.