AUBURN - Eleven strong bell tolls reverberated across the south lawn of Memorial City Hall Tuesday, then the bang of rifle fire and the somber melody of “Taps.”

Community members, those who served or are serving in the military and elected officials assembled at City Hall Tuesday for a Day of Remembrance, to honor the citizens who risked their lives to protect the United States.

“Today we honor all those that have served with honor and who have given the ultimate sacrifice so that the people in the United States and its allies abroad can have our freedom,” James Dacey said in front of the large crowd.

In recognition of Veterans Day, people in Auburn and across the country paused to honor the men and women, both past and present, who have served in the U.S. armed forces.

James Carter, commander of the Fleming Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 11071, has come to the Veterans Day ceremony for as long as Auburn has had one, he said.

Carter served in World War II and was stationed at Okinawa Island, Japan. To him, Veterans Day is symbolic of freedom and “remembering the ones that didn't come back.”

“I consider myself fortunate because I came back without any scars,” he said.

U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri and representatives from state Sen. Michael Nozzolio and state Assemblyman Gary Finch's office attended the ceremony, as well as local leaders.

Arcuri pointed to last week's election as a measure of the freedom Americans share.

There was no bloodshed and the transfer of power was conducted smoothly, “things that we as Americans take for granted but what much of the world envies,” he said.

He praised the people that ensured our right to free elections, the right to assemble, freedom of speech, and the various forms of liberty Americans have remains entrenched in our way of life.

Capt. Jeffrey A. Green has his own stories of his time serving in uniform for the U.S. Army and National Guard. There are many things he can remember about the two decades he spent protecting the country, most recently in Iraq, before retiring two years ago.

But one recent memory stands out.

“Just recently I stood here on the front steps of city hall and welled with tears of pride seeing the outpouring of respect and patriotism for a fallen soldier,” he said of Sgt. Jerome C. Bell Jr, who died in the line of duty fighting in Afghanistan in September. “Men and women of all ages, those who served and those who did not, paying the respect earned and owed to one of our local heroes.

“It gave me chills of pride, the same chills I get whenever I hear our national anthem.”

Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net