OCEAN PINES, Md. – As communities across the Eastern Shore honor those who served, in Worcester County, veterans are coming from all over to pay their respects.

This year marks a special milestone for the Worcester County Veterans’ Memorial Foundation, as this year’s holiday marked the 20th anniversary of the monument.

Foundation President Marie Gilmore spoke with us about the community of veterans who come out to honor the fallen each year.

“It means a lot to everybody that’s here. And they come year after year. So that tells me it always means a lot to all the people in our community who built this memorial to honor our veterans. This was all community built…” says Gilmore.

For one veteran and Worcester County native, Retired US Navy Lieutenant Commander, Robert Rosales, the ceremony means more to him as this year’s keynote speaker.

Rosales tells us, “To be able to share this occasion with the faithful veterans and those who want to commemorate their loved ones who lost their lives in service to our country. I can’t tell you how special it is and how incredibly honored I am to be able to be part of that. ”

As flags are raised and helicopters fly over, those in attendance are reminded of the sacrifice of the men and women in uniform.

“But I’ll tell you more than that, It was incredibly humbling because I’m just one of many who have served. I have friends and comrades who have lost friends and comrades. And to be able to be in this place where these people… like I said, it’s just incredibly humbling,” says Rosales.

According to the Worcester County Veterans’ Memorial Foundation, they expected around two thousand people for the ceremony.