For retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral John F. Weigold, the challenge of Memorial Day is that words never feel adequate.

Weigold asked a crowd that gathered at the Santa Barbara Cemetery on Monday how people left behind can properly honor the fallen, express gratitude or measure their sacrifice.

“The truth is, we can never fully repay that debt, but we can remember,” Weigold said. “We can speak their names, we can tell their stories, and we can live in a way that proves their sacrifice matters.”

Weigold was the keynote speaker at the event, which was hosted by the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

Hundreds of people gathered at the cemetery to honor fallen veterans with music, speeches and songs.

In his speech, Weigold spoke of his nine fellow graduates from the United States Naval Academy and how they never got the chance to grow old. He also told the crowd that one of his two sons is on active duty at Camp Pendleton and the other is serving as a helicopter pilot in the Indian Ocean.

Weigold also took the time to acknowledge Gold Star families, families that have lost an immediate family member in combat.

“Behind every service member who gave their life stands a family who also carried the burden of service, parents who worried, spouses who were bearing separations, children who waited, friends who still feel the absence years later,” he said. “Memorial Day belongs to them as well.”

He ended his speech by saying that in a time when the country feels divided, Memorial Day reminds us that Americans do not serve by political party, geography, background or status.

Weigold said they served one another and the nation as a whole.

“To the fallen, we offer our remembrance. To their families, we offer our gratitude.  To all who gave their lives in service to this nation. We offer this promise,” he said. “You will not be forgotten. Thank you all. God bless you.”

Lt. John Blankenship of the U.S. Navy served as the emcee.