FORT BENNING, Ga., (June 1, 2016) -- Each year Americans take time out to remember those who gave their lives in service of their country.

The Fort Benning community gathered at the Fort Benning Cemetery May 30 to do that very thing by attending the Maneuver Center of Excellence's Memorial Day Ceremony.

"I lost my father to the war. It's easy to take for granted the sacrifices that Soldiers make. It's important to keep their spirit alive," said Missy Rodriguez, an attendee who said that this was her first time coming out to the ceremony.

During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Eric Wesley, commanding general of the Maneuver Center of Excellence, asked the audience to consider why Americans memorialize fallen Soldiers.

"We do this because we believe in legacy. We do this because we believe that in the notion of legacy there is some immeasurable impact on who we are and who we become that we cannot ignore," he said.

"Legacy although intangible has very tangible results. We do this because a Soldier's legacy matters," Wesley added.

"And when we remember Soldiers who have fallen, it's the heroic nature of who. It's their identity that's important. And it's the identity that we want to have," he continued.

As part of the ceremony, Soldiers from the 198th Infantry Brigade placed a commemorative wreath on the grave of an Unknown Soldier who lost his life in service of this country with the help of Wesley and Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Metheny, the command sergeant major of the Maneuver Center of Excellence.

Nikolaus and Linda Despain traveled from Denver, Colorado, to attend the ceremony with their daughter Lacey Mackie. Her husband is currently stationed at Fort Benning.

"We loved it. The ceremony was phenomenal. The MCoE band played great," said Linda Despain.

It was nice to hear the perspective of Brig. Gen. Eric Wesley. A lot of people speak at ceremonies like this, but getting this kind of insight is rare, said Nikolaus Despain.

There was a nice spirit in the air. It probably brought back memories for some. It was an honor to be part of it, said Lacey Mackie.

Hermela Scundys brought her kids to the ceremony because she wanted them to understand what Memorial Day truly means.

"I wanted to show them the value of our Soldiers," said Scundys.