For once, Minnesota's Memorial Day ceremony at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery was staged in glorious sunshine.
The mood was still sombre, as hundreds gathered amid military honor guards and patriotic music to pay respects to America's war dead.
"Today we honor all of those whose spirit of duty never waivered, even during the most difficult times," said US Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
Her father, the late Jim Klobuchar, served in the Army during the Korean War and is buried not far from where the ceremony took place.
Prior to this year's event, Sen. Klobuchar found out a little about those interred in that area.
"My dad was a sports reporter, so maybe it's fitting, maybe it's just a chance, but he actually right near him is the gravestone of Bob Williams, who was a star player for the Lakers," she said.
Also buried near Jim Klobuchar are Private Charles Leslie Konan, Private First Class Charles Williams, and First Leutenant Archie Stein.
Governor Walz, a long-time member of the National Guard, was once again moved by the experience.
"There are few moments during the year where we're more present and more engaged than when you walk in the gates of Ft. Snelling on Memorial Day," he said. "This is truly a national holiday, but at the heart of it's the most profoundly individual of times."
The honor guard fired off a volley before the traditional playing of "Taps."
More than 2000,000 men and women who served in the US military are buried at Ft. Snelling, which dates back to 1939. '
The headstones of each veteran was decorated by American flags, installed by volunteers over the weekend.
