The message at the annual Mattapoisett Memorial Day ceremony on Monday afternoon was that the sacrifice of U.S. soldiers should serve as an example to all Americans.

"No matter what confronts us and no matter what we face, we can overcome," said Deputy Director of the Navy Office of Community Outreach Commander Paul Brawley.

He encouraged the group gathered in front of the Mattapoisett Library to honor soldiers as well as the families of fallen servicepeople.

Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the soldiers who have fallen in service to the country and to take their sacrifice as an example in moving forward, said Rep. William Straus.

"We should look for ways to work together in the future," he said.

Memorial Day is not the only day that Mattapoisett residents have shown their gratitude for servicemen and women killed in the line of duty.

Veterans Agent Barry Denham thanked the townspeople for lining Route 6 in December when the body of Lance Corporal Matthew R. Rodriguez was taken by motorcade to Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals. Rodriguez, a Fairhaven resident, was killed while serving in Afghanistan.

"This is a special Memorial Day for me," said Denham, a relative of Rodriguez. "It was really gratifying to see the support."

Elise Parker, a student at Old Rochester Regional Junior High, read the Gettysburg Address including the particularly poignant line, "We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain."

The Old Hammondtown School concert band also played at the ceremony. Afterwards, a parade marched through the village, stopping at Town Wharf to honor those who died at sea and at Cushing Cemetery to honor those fallen on land. The parade ended at Legion Hall on Depot Street.

The Florence Eastman Post 280 American Legion sponsored the event.