TIFTON — At a Memorial Day observance Monday morning, military veterans and local residents got together to remember those soldiers who died in war.

The ceremony was hosted by Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 38 at the Tifton Municipal Courtroom.

Don Koehler, executive director for the Georgia Peanut Commission, delivered the keynote address, paying respect to those who died in war.

“There’s somebody that cared enough about me that he would give his life so I could have freedom that I experience today,” said Koehler. “That’s one of the things that makes America great.”

Koehler paid tribute to his brother, a veteran struggling with dementia who fought in Kuwait.

Koehler said the dementia was brought on by chemicals from the Kuwait oil well fires.

“My brother came home and a part of him was lost there in Kuwait,” said Koehler.

Addressing the veterans at the ceremony, Koehler also paid respect to other living veterans.

“On this Memorial Day, when we think about those that gave their life, I’m reminded of those that lived but gave some of their life when they were there,” said Koehler. “I hope that we as Americans never forget the sacrifice that every one of you made for us.”

Approximately 50 people attended the ceremony at the courthouse.

At the Oakridge Cemetery service that followed, several people talked about wanting to see more participation from the community for Memorial Day.

“This is a special time,” said Jamie Cater, former Tifton mayor. “We never can get enough people to come to this Memorial Day. Does that bother y’all like it bothers me?

“We ought to have so many people you can’t get ‘em in the dadgum room. We’re going to work on that. I hope one day we have to put them in the auditorium somewhere. We’re going to work on that because every one of you deserve it.”

“There for awhile it got down to just a few veterans,” said Arthur Herin, senior vice commander for Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 38. “Now it’s picking up. Most people don’t remember what Memorial Day is for.”

“It’s to honor all the people who died in war,” said Aulton White, adjutant with DAV, Chapter 38. “People have that misconception. It’s not sale day. It’s not tire sale day or mattress sale day. [It’s] one day a year to honor the people who’ve died, given all they have for this country.”

After placing a wreath at the cemetery’s flagpole, the crowd visited the grave of Harold “Pinky” Durham Jr., a Tift County Congressional Medal of Honor recipient who died in the Vietnam War.