CANDIA — Under the shadow of a memorial in town square, Candia residents, officials and dignitaries met Monday to pay tribute to service men and women all over the country who have paid with their lives to protect American freedoms.

The event, hosted by American Legion Post 91, began with a prayer. It was followed by speeches by Selectmen Chairman and Navy veteran Joe Duarte and Republican gubernatorial candidate Ovide Lamontagne.

Joe Silveira, the adjutant for Post 91, opened with a thank-you to the selectmen and other politicians, including state Sen. David Boutin and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Maggie Hassan.

Duarte was the first to take the microphone. The four-year veteran of the Navy addressed the gathering on the square with a message to never forget those who have fought, as well as those who are currently serving. It is their sacrifice, he said, that allows the United States to truly be the place that it is.

“I would ask all of you today to honor all of those that have gone to protect our liberty and protect our country and to also think about those families and the suffering they have gone through,” Duarte said.

In closing, Duarte read a poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes and asked that those who have fallen not be forgotten.

Lamontagne asked the crowd not just to recognize fallen heroes with thoughts on Memorial Day, but to also understand that every time Americans get to experience freedom and liberty, that is truly the best way to honor the nation’s veterans.

Each time we exercise our freedoms and liberties and guard against the erosion of the uniquely American values and principles upon which our nation was founded, we honor those service men and women who dedicated their lives in the line of duty, Lamontagne said.

Duarte said he was very proud of the town for the large gathering that came out to pay tribute to the nation’s veterans.

“This is something we should all honor, Duarte said. I’m glad we got a great turnout. That made me really happy.”