A large group of people made their way to Tahoma National Cemetery Monday for the Memorial Day ceremony under bright blue skies.

The event brought together military people both past and present.

Many of the men and women had been retired from the ranks for years, but their time in uniform was as fresh as the first day they buttoned up for inspection.

World War II veteran Gus Nogales made the trip from his home in Sammamish, where he said he lives with his daughter now.

Nogales served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945 in the South Pacific.

“I was in the amphibious corp,” Nogales said. “We were part of the last invasion of Borneo. We had the Australian Marines and we went from the Philippines to Borneo. It was very exciting.”

Joesph La Voie II, a retired chief warrant oFficer in the Navy participated in the ceremony as part of the honor guard.

“It was an honor and a privilege to be here,” La Voie said.

Retired Chief Warrant Officer Les Foltz traveled from Renton. He retired in 1974 after 26 years in the Navy.

Kent resident Ed Norris, also a chief warrant office who retired in 1979 after more than 20 years, was another member of the honor guard.

All came together around the flag pole to remember and to honor.

Al Rasmussen was the master of ceremonies.

A high point of the day came when Shari Furnstahl sang the national anthem and later in the program her daughter Jessica Furnstahl, 9, sang solo and her other two daughters, Kelly and Chloe sang a duet.

The Bellevue Community Band preformed a selection of patriotic songs and Bernie Moskowitz played taps on his bugle.

From the laying of the wreaths, to the gun salute, to Chaplain Daniel Shaw’s benediction, to the release of the doves, it was a day of tribute to those who served and those who fell in service.