Video: Hundreds Remember Soldiers in Memorial Day Ceremony

It was a day of prayer and remembrance as hundreds of people poured into Chapel of the Chimes Memorial Park and Funeral Home on Monday for a Memorial Day ceremony.

Military men and women, both living and fallen, were honored at the annual ceremony that drew politicians from throughout the state and veteran organizations from all over the East Bay.

Among the speakers at the event was State Assemblyman Bob Weickowski, who thanked the dozens of veterans in attendance for their service to the country.

"Today, we also send our thanks to those who as I speak are putting themselves in harm's way so that we can enjoy the things we sometimes take for granted — our freedoms, our liberties and our rights," added Weickowski,  who represents the Tri-Cities as well as parts of Castro Valley, Pleasanton and Milpitas.

Colonel Garrett Yee of the United States Army Reserve also spoke and reminded people that Memorial Day is a time to recognize all who have sacrificed, including parents who have lost loved ones to war.

Tom Ballard, a retired Air Force man, is one of those parents. His son, Lt. Kenneth Ballard, died seven years ago on March 30, 2004.

He read a poem called And God Said by K.C. and Myke Kuzmic which talks about finding hope through spiritual guidance while mourning .

Watch the reading from the poem and more highlights from the event in our video above.

Chapel of the Chimes has hosted an annual Memorial Day ceremony for decades, said funeral home manager Bob Yount. He said the celebration gets larger each year.