88th annual Memorial Day ceremony at Wood National Cemetery honors those who served

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin's only national veterans cemetery is honoring the sacrifice of thousands of military members who served America dating back to 1871.

The ceremony, which was attended by hundreds, just wrapped up a short while ago.

One way that the VA honors servicemen and women on Memorial Day is by putting an American Flag by each grave. There are more than 30,000 grave sites at the cemetery.

Monday marked the 88th annual Memorial Day ceremony at Wood National Cemetery. Speakers included Congresswoman Gwen Moore and WWII veteran Gene Schulze who fought in Battle of the Bulge and helped liberate a concentration camp in Germany.

There was also a wreath-laying ceremony.

VA officials say the ceremony leaves people very emotional. 

"I think when all is said and done, you get a very somber, haunting feeling in your chest after you see all of this and it's just such an honor to have people come out here and share this with us," said Gary Kunich with the Milwaukee VA Medical Center.

Prisoners of war and the missing were honored with a roll call ceremony. Black balloons were let go into the air as names were called.