"We owe everything because someone's child gave their life so that we could have freedom," Havre de Grace Mayor Bill Martin told the dozens of people gathered at Millard Tydings Memorial Park on Monday morning.
The mayor became emotional briefly as he talked about Memorial Day from a parent's perspective, explaining the holiday took on new significance for him when he became a father.
"We all have freedoms because a young person gave their life for us," Martin said.
After threats of being washed out from a passing tropical storm, Havre de Grace's annual Memorial Day ceremony benefited from a sunny day that brought a steady crowd to the park and Promenade waterfront, some of whom stopped to listen to the solemn proceedings.
About 100 people brought chairs or sat on the grass as members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars led a wreath-laying ceremony at the city's war memorial and oversaw patriotic speeches from the park gazebo, which featured a large bald eagle with American-flag wings made entirely out of poppies in the background, as well as garlands of poppies hanging down.
The poppy became a national symbol of remembrance of the sacrifices of veterans after being adopted by the American Legion in 1920 to recognize those who served during World War I.
"God gave us a little bit of sunshine so we could have this ceremony without delay or hindrance," Martin said about the weather, drawing some applause from those attending.
"Some of you come every year because it's a Havre de Grace tradition," he said, adding some come because they believe in the tradition and "some come because you served the country and you know how fragile freedom is."
"Memorial Day is very unique. We are all here because we are patriots," he said.
The guest speaker, retired Army ordnance officer Dwaynne McKamey, said: "As I watch the news today, I realize we are a divided country."
On days like Memorial Day, however, Americans still come together regardless of their differences, he said.
"We are all here to mourn our losses together," he said, recalling the parents who sacrificed their children to the military.
He said when he was growing up in Levittown, Pa., his father, a veteran, had a poem hung above the entrance called "Gold Star Mother."
McKamey reminded attendees that the country does honor "Gold Star mothers," women who lost their children in combat.
He urged people to take a moment to recognize Memorial Day as a time of sacrifice, not just fun or frivolity.
Despite Congress' best efforts, "Memorial Day is still thought of as the beginning of summer," he said, noting the National Moment of Remembrance instituted by Congress at 3 p.m.
"Let's take time and pause for a few moments of remembrance with your kids at 3 p.m.," he said.