Hundreds gather for Memorial Day Ritual Service in New Berlin

All across southeastern Wisconsin, different groups are holding ceremonies and events in Observance of Memorial Day.

The Annual Memorial Ritual Service at Highland Memorial Park Cemetery just wrapped up.

Several hundred people gathered for the ceremony which has been an annual tradition in New Berlin for several decades.

It's put on by the VFW post 5716 and the city of New Berlin.

It was complete with patriotic songs, prayers, and speakers honoring all those who died while serving the country.

Before the ceremony, the New Berlin Mayor David Ament said it's a family tradition and he's glad to see it's being passed on to the next generation.

"I think for the kids, the main thing is that they are aware of it. And they don't learn this in school as much as they used to, as to what this really means and the difference between Military Day and Veterans Day and Memorial Day, so it's kind of nice to have the kids involved," the mayor said.

At the end of the ceremony this morning, the crowd released balloons into the air to pay tribute to those who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice.