NORTHPORT -- It's hard for Dennis Golec not to sing along when he hears the Marines' Hymn.
The song is particularly special to Golec, who served with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
So when the opening bars began to play during a Memorial Day service Monday, Golec, of Traverse City, stood and sang the words he knew by heart.
"You always sing the Marine Corps Hymn," he said, smiling.
The hymn, part of a medley of military songs, was part of Monday's ceremony at the Leelanau Township Cemetery that featured patriotic music, a history of the Gulf War and a flag ceremony with local Scout troops. At least 200 people gathered to honor veterans from a number of wars and nearly all branches of the military, among numerous community observances held around the region.
"This history should be observed," said Gilbert Deibel, a veteran of World War II who lives north of Omena. "It should not be forgotten."
Deibel served three years in the U.S. Army Air Corps, which preceded the Air Force, after enlisting in 1943 at 21 years old. He was deployed to the Pacific Theater in 1944 as a co-pilot on a B-24 bomber.
He's attended the Leelanau Township ceremony for years, but this was the first where Deibel was a guest of honor. He was recognized with several other veterans from the township, and others who've passed on -- dating as far back as the Civil War.
As the number of living World War II veterans shrinks each year, Deibel's presence Monday was especially significant.
Even so, "I happen to be one of thousands," he said. "The service would have been in vain if no one remembers."
There were several opportunities to reflect on the soldiers throughout the service.
Before the ceremony, some attendees walked through the rows of headstones, pausing to read the names.
Those of veterans were marked with small American flags.
The service also featured a presentation from former U.S. Army officer Jerry Dennis, who detailed the events that led up to the Gulf War and the resolution of the conflict.
Before he finished, he stopped to recognize all the veterans in attendance.
"Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance," Dennis said. "We choose to remember because the pain for forgetting is too dear."
Many of those in the crowd were community members without military experience. Neither Gary Williams nor his wife, JoAnn, have served, but both have relatives who did.
Regardless, the couple from Beverly Hills in Oakland County has made the trip to the Leelanau Township ceremony at least twice now while on visits for the holiday.
"I just love going," he said. "I get teased when I say this, but it's a slice of Americana."
They weren't the only attendees to leave impressed.
Golec, the Vietnam War veteran, said he and his wife, Ellen, definitely will return.
"It held a little more emotion for me," he said. "You know what the sacrifice is."
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