ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The American Legion called on a U.S. Army reservist to give the keynote speech at its Memorial Day Weekend ceremony in downtown St. Louis, Saturday morning.

Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran James Casey told the small crowd assembled outside Soldier’s Memorial that we, as Americans, should never forget the sacrifices of those who’ve died in service to our country, “It is our duty and our obligation to continue their legacy and to continue the virtues and values they lived by, through serving our communities.”

Casey works with local American Legion posts as part of his affiliation with the St. Louis based “The Mission Continues” organization.

Mayor Francis Slay also addressed the crowd, Saturday, “We as Americans have a duty to never forget. To never forget what it takes to bring us our freedom, our democracy, our family, and our way of life.”