Veterans’ groups in Patchogue marked Memorial Day on Monday with a parade and a ceremony honoring U.S. servicemen and women who gave their lives defending our nation.

Spectators lined both sides of Main Street in downtown Patchogue for several blocks as the parade, which included firefighters, veterans’ groups and marching bands from Patchogue-Medford High School and South Ocean Middle School, made its way west on Main Street and south on South Ocean Avenue to American Legion Post 269, where speakers remembered those who sacrificed their lives in service to the nation.

Jeff Molitor, commander of VFW Post 2913, told the crowd gathered at Harry T. Hanson Veterans Memorial Park that Memorial Day is an occasion to remember those who gave their lives fighting for the freedom of others and a day to teach the next generation that nothing is achieved without sacrifice.

“Though their lives were cut short, their contributions live on,” Molitor said.

Luigi Pisano, commander of American Legion Post 269, said the nation’s commitment to its military veterans shouldn’t end with Memorial Day, but must continue to ensure that they receive the medical care they need.

“God bless our fallen heroes and their families,” he said.

It’s the older generation that is more aware of the sacrifice servicemen and women made, said David Mann, who served in Vietnam and is chaplain of American Legion Post 269.

“I think it’s the older person who understands the history of our country in being in different wars,” said Mann, 75, of East Patchogue. Mann wore a Vietnam Veterans baseball cap inscribed with the number of U.S. military members killed in the war. Affixed to Mann’s cap was a replica of one of the two Purple Hearts he was awarded for his service.

Michael Amodio, commander of Amvets Post 111, called on those assembled to remember the fallen with a moment of silence at 3 p.m.

“We should think about how different our lives would be had these brave servicemen and women not sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Without them, American democracy would be a footnote in history,” he said.