American Legion Post 74 hosted the annual ceremony inviting out veterans and their families as they painted the mall with red white and blue.

"The true significance of today is seeing all of the veterans who fought in foreign wars including myself, I fought in Desert Storm and just to make a memory of what they've done for this country," said veteran Judith Mayes.

A humbled gathering of military veterans, families and admirers took in the Veteran's Day ceremony at the Pavilion on the Downtown Mall.

"I take my responsibility as a member of congress very seriously because of sacrifices that we heard of today and this very moving ceremony, you stop and you think about the history of Virginia and the history of Virginia's fifth district back to 1776, every generation has done its part," said Congressman Robert Hurt.

"My uncle served, and I have a cousin that served in the Air Force and I made a career out of it here in the Army," said Mayes.

Many of the fallen heroes of our country were recognized by the laying of the wreath as several speakers talked about individual heroes that made a difference overseas.

"we were able to recognize two of three veterans that were at D-Day was particularly moving and it inspires I think all of us to do all that we can to preserve the legacy they preserved for us and that is freedom," said Hurt.

A legacy that for many if not all of these veterans truly embodies what it means to fight for your country and what it means to be an American.

"It means to me, a lifelong achievement something to keep looking back over the older I get, I been around for 24 years in service so the older I get, it just makes me smile to think about how far I've come," said Mayes.

To all our of veterans and service men and women at home and abroad, Happy Veteran's Day.