Service honors fallen military heroes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Honoring those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Thousands were in the nation's capital Saturday for the "Time of Remembrance" ceremony. The service not only honored fallen troops, but their families as well.

It's an event no one wants to go to.

"It's one of those exclusive clubs that you never want to join," said George Lutz.

Yet one that means so much to so many.

"You got to remember those guys and honor what they gave to this country," said Ben Rohan.

Every year, families who share a common bond gather in the nation's capital. They honor, mourn, and remember lives lost serving their country in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"It impacts the families in such a positive and remarkable way, because remembrance is what we cry for," added Lutz.

"Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure and that's why we are here today," Ross Perot said to the crowd of 2,000.

The memory of those lost is imprinted on T-shirts and in a child's smile. The loved ones are never far away.

"He's always right on my mind everyday," said Hampton's Kate McLaughlin.

McLaughlin lost her son Christopher Simpson last year in Iraq.

"I'm very proud of him," added McLaughlin. "I'm very proud of each and every one of these families that are here."

More than remember, the ceremony gives families a chance to meet other families. They have a chance to console each other.

"You understand more that you are not the only one," said McLaughlin.

"This is a very emotional day for me all the way around," added Lutz.

Lutz's son Toni was killed by an Iraqi sniper in 2005.

So far more than 5,000 US servicemen and women have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.