MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum held one of the city’s largest Memorial Day celebrations on Monday, May 25, honoring 3,000-plus veterans laid to rest there whose service spans the War of 1812 to today.

Kelly Gerlach, the Director of Development at Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum, said their event on Memorial Day was a way to honor the departed by traveling back in time.

“We’re honoring the people who shaped Milwaukee, but also shaped the country,” Gerlach said.

CBS 58

On Monday, a day of events began with a memorial service in their landmark Ferry & Clas Chapel, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony in the Garden of Honor. The officiant of the service explained the specific prayers that were shared on Memorial Day.

“A lot of these words we pray at our funeral liturgy as a way to acknowledge that gift they gave,” said Rev. Seth Raymond of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

After the service, attendees were able to tour the cemetery through the perspective of 14 historical interpreters in costume sharing stories of some of the most iconic Milwaukeeans buried at the cemetery.

“I saw the Schiltz and then across the way was the Blatz. It’s very appropriate, you should almost go have a beer there,” said Tom Cavanaugh, a lifelong Milwaukee resident who attended the event.

You can learn more about the historic cemetery here.