It was a special centennial Memorial Day ceremony in Mattapoisett on Monday afternoon.

One hundred years ago, Jerry Randall recited the Gettysburg Address outside of Mattapoisett Town Hall to pay tribute to soldiers killed in action. On Monday, Randall’s son George recited the same speech, to honor the same men and women, at Center School.

“You really have a way of doing that,” master of ceremonies Cmdr. Michael Lamoureux said after the rousing recitation. “That was about the best I ever heard it done.”

Cmdr. Bryan D. Williams, of the U.S. Navy, was the keynote speaker at the ceremony. He spoke of the bravery of the soldiers who have died fighting for their country.

“They were fighting for something bigger than themselves,” he said.

Williams noted that our rights are what soldiers die fighting for, and that exercising those rights are one of the best ways citizens can honor those killed in action. Specifically, Williams mentioned the four fundamental rights given in the first amendment: right to practice religion, right to a free press, right to peaceful assembly and right to free speech.

“I encourage people to exercise those rights,” he said, stressing the importance of participating in a democracy. “Everyone should participate in government, even if it’s just by voting.”

Visibly emotional, Williams also urged residents to take the day to remember the soldiers who were killed, as well as the friends and families they left behind.

“We are remembering these people who died, and it’s natural to feel sorrow and loss,” he said. “But it’s also important to feel inspiration and gratitude.”

Old Hammondtown School Band played the National Anthem, “America the Beautiful” and “Grand Old Flag” during the ceremony, while the New Bedford High School JROTC program posted and retired the colors for the afternoon.

Before and after the ceremony residents could visit with horses from Peacock Farm and Stonetree Acres who made the trip to town despite the cancellation of the parade.