Video: American Legion Post 1976 Memorial Day Ceremony 2012

The held its annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday in front of the Annandale Island Cannon at the intersection between Backlick Road and Columbia Pike. Earlier in the morning, the Post placed flags on graves at the cemetary at .

The ceremony included prayers, a moment of silence for the heroic dead, the playing of "Taps" and a keyote address by Brig. Gen. John R. Rank Jr. Rank is the deputy director of programs at the U.S. Air Force headquarters in Washington, D.C.

"The rest of this nation needs to join us and renew our spirit of patriotism and sacrifice and service to this country. Even in an election year, America can reunite on this day of reverence," said Rank in his remarks. "As you remember those who have died, celebrate their lives, their accomplshments, celebrate the way they would want to be remembered alive. Every one of them was proud to be called an airmen, a solider, a sailor, or a marine. Today we honor those who died defending our freedom. Remember them."

Watch our videos from the ceremony above.