ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Maryland -- Soldiers, civilians and family members honored fallen American heroes at a Memorial Day Ceremony here May 25.

Hosted by the 20th CBRNE Command (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives), the ceremony was attended by 20th CBRNE Commanding General Brig. Gen. William E. King IV and Command Sgt. Maj. Harold E. Dunn IV.

The Aberdeen Proving Ground-based 20th CBRNE Command is the U.S. military's only multifunctional formation that combats chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats around the globe.

The command hosts the annual ceremony every Memorial Day.

The ceremony was held at the Edgewood Area Cemetery in front of the 128 grave sites of the Soldiers, Army civilians and family members who were buried there from 1918 through 1968. Among them were Soldiers who died in the line of duty.

"These honored fallen Solders tell the story of those early pioneers of chemical warfare who founded Edgewood Arsenal back in 1918," said Lt. Col. Charles A. Musante, the master of ceremonies. "Many of these unsung heroes rest in peace today in the shadows of the surrounding buildings where the 30-building base hospital complex once stood."

Serving as the guest speaker at the ceremony, King thanked the Knights of Columbus Corpus Christi Council and American Legion Post 17 for supporting the ceremony and praised the 20th CBRNE Command Color Guard and Rifle Squad as well as the Fort Meade, Md., Army Field Band.

The 20th CBRNE commanding general said the best way to honor America's fallen heroes is remember them and uphold their legacy.

"We can never repay these American patriots for what they have done for us," said King, who assumed command of 20th CBRNE the week before. "But we can remember them and honor them on days like today."

"We honor them by fully embracing the freedom that they gave their lives for and passing it on to future generations so that none will forget," said King.