A Rockland community took time Friday to remember those who have died for our country.

The Town of Clarkstown held its annual Memorial Day ceremony in front of Street Community Center Friday morning. 

"We can never, ever allow these brave men and women to be forgotten," said Supervisor George Hoehmann. This means remembering and honoring fallen veterans who did not make it back to Rockland County. 

World War II and Korean war veteran Raymond Botto says he makes sure never to miss these ceremonies. 

"Just pay tribute to those who just didn't make it and come back...a number of friends that I've known in both wars didn't come back," he says. 

"When we have our barbecues, our cookouts, as we watch our children march in the Memorial Day parades, please take a time, a moment, a minute to think about the soldiers and the families that are not here to celebrate now," says Andre Riobe, a Spring Valley police officer and U.S. Air Force veteran. This year's ceremony was the first one to be back to full capacity since the pandemic.