Each Memorial Day, ceremonies honor those who died while serving the nation. Veterans like Paul O'Keefe, a Korean War veteran, paid tribute to those fallen soldiers at the Saratoga Gerald B.H. Solomon National Cemetery.

"I'm very proud I served my country in Korea," O'Keefe said. "It wasn't easy, but I dedicate the ceremony to my 50,000 brothers that never came back. Brothers and sisters. Some came back, but they came back in coffins. I'm a lucky guy."

Seeing his life changed forever on the day he was drafted is a moment O'Keefe remembers like it was yesterday.

"I graduated in June 21st and...the war broke out on June 25th. And I went down there with the Marines, with my good friend," O'Keefe said.

He isn't fond of Memorial Day, but is proud to have served his country. He remembers the friends he lost during the war and how their families were affected. He's proud of his service, but it's a reminder of a war of horrors. He appreciates the day off to reflect, but it also brings back painful memories.

"All the way home on a troop ship," O'Keefe said. "That's all I could think of. I felt like a coward. I was leaving them behind. And I still feel that way today. July will be 70 years that the Korean War ended, July 27th."

It was a true honor for O'Keefe to be recognized and receive the same honor as veterans John Leavitt and Ken Bailey. This was during this year's Memorial Day ceremony, two men he admires and respects.

"My buddy here, 101 years old. I met him when he was 85 years old. And he said to me, 'How old are you?' I said, 'I'm 75.' 'So you're just a kid.' So now he's more than 100 and I'm 91. He's the greatest man in the world. That's my World War two, buddy," O'Keefe said.

In his 101 years, Kenneth Bailey has seen it all and is grateful to be part of moments like this.

"At my age, you get to see everybody. But this is a...People don't realize it, but time is precious, and to use your time, it should be used for something good. I think coming here reminds me of people and what happened years and years ago," Bailey said.

In honor of this holiday, he hopes people do not forget what it means to him and his fellow brothers and sisters who died while serving in the military.

"It's not 'happy' Memorial Day," Bailey said. "People have to realize, it's a day of mourning for those that we lost and never came back. I'm one of the lucky ones. I came home. A lot of my friends, I miss."