More than 30 area residents gathered at the Kimball Cemetery to pay respects to the men and women of the United States Armed Service at a memorial service on Monday. The program, hosted by Veteran’s Service Officer Ron Scott lasted 45 minutes and included patriotic music, a presentation of the memorial wreath, speeches and prayers, both of protection for those still serving and of remembrance for those who have given their lives.The guest speaker was area mortician John Berg.Berg spoke of the men he served with in Vietnam and how so many never returned the same way he did. His return was full of laughter and tears of joy while theirs was full of solemnity, he said.Berg said, “It is because of these men and women that we gather on this day.”“It’s because of them that we celebrate Memorial Day,” he said. Berg reminded everyone gathered of the debt of gratitude that was owed . “Elaborate walls and moving speeches cannot fulfill the debt that is owed to those who gave their lives,” he said.And forget not the living. The ones who came home and married and joined us in the workforce, he said. Their services is no less important or significant. “Do not forget the ones who served and came home alive,” he said. After the speech the names of the fallen from Kimball country were read aloud. Scott then took the microphone and invited all of the veterans in attendance to come forward and be recognized. Tom O’Brien sang America the Beautiful and was followed by a closing prayer by Father Bob Karnish.Taps was performed by Jennifer Provance, vet, United States Air Force. The flag was raised to full staff by Dusty Shuts, vet, United States Army. The 21-gun salute was made up of vets from all branch of the service. Donna Kudebeh, VFW Auxiliary President gave a patriotic reading, paraphrasing a speech by Oliver Wendell Holmes.After the service, Scott asked all the vets to remain and assist in raising the memorial flags to full staff. A hamburger feed was held at the Kimball VFW afterwards.