U.S. Army Sgt. Edward Sweeney Jr. reenforced the meaning of Memorial Day at Monday’s event held in front of the Mattapoisett Library.

Sweeney, 41, joined the National Guard at the age of 38. From 2012 to 2013 he served in Afghanistan.

“I haven’t been home yet for longer than three years,”said Sweeney, who lives in Mattapoisett with his wife and children. “But this day isn’t about me or the warriors behind me. It’s about honoring those who never came home.”

Sweeney was one of several speakers, including members of the Florence Eastman Post 280 American Legion, State Rep. William Straus (D-Mattapoisett), Veteran’s Agent Barry Denham and Selectman Jordan Collyer.

Sweeney urged the audience to remember those who sacrificed everything.

“All soldiers sign a check made payable to the U.S. government in the amount up to and including our lives,” Sweeney said. “We honor those soldiers who had to cash that check in the name of freedom.”

Sweeney then read the names of some of those who fought and died.

“These heroes are the reason we have the American way of life,” he said.

During the ceremony, the Old Hammondtown School Concert Band played a handful of patriotic songs and Denham, the veteran’s agent for the tri-town, asked those in attendance to support the legion and those who served.

“What we can do for our veterans is to keep our services strong,” he said. “If we lose benefits there’s going to be some hurting people.”

He said last year seven Rochester residents, 11 Mattapoisett residents and one Marion resident received benefits. Following an outreach program, he found that seven more Marion residents qualified for benefits.

“We’re helping at the rate of $200 to $300 a month,” Denham said. “The money means an awful lot to someone who is getting $600 a month from Social Security.”

Collyer echoed the sentiment: “As [legion] membership dwindles support dwindles. I know the legion is under stress to keep going.”

Collyer asked that residents reach out and support the group, which puts together the Memorial Day ceremony among other activities throughout the year.

Per tradition, veterans placed wreaths at the war memorials adjacent to the library shortly after the remarks ended.

A parade led by Mattapoisett police officers travelled through Mattapoisett Village to Town Wharf where those veterans who lost their lives at sea were remembered. The parade also included legion members, firefighters, Scouts and others.

The parade ended at Cushing Cemetery where those who lost their lives on land were honored.