A touching tribute took place on Sunday to honor Special Forces soldiers who lost their lives while fighting for our country.

The Chapter 51 Green Beret Special Forces Association held the ceremony at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City.

“We’re here to honor all our soldiers and all our military who have served for the freedom of our country,” said Aurelio Flores, President of the Chapter 51 Green Beret Special Forces Association.

Flores says Memorial Day weekend is emotional because it’s a time to remember those close to him he has lost.

“I lost my roommate. I lost a classmate. I lost a best friend,” Flores said.

The Chapter 51 Green Beret Special Forces Association is made up of retired military members who dedicate their time make sure those who have made the ultimate sacrifice are never forgotten.

“It’s the honor. It’s the honor. I see all these flags out here, and it’s just a lot of good people were lost,” said Tee Barkdull, retired military member.

During Sunday’s ceremony, attendees held a moment of silence for all 1,139 Special Forces soldiers who’ve lost their lives since 1960.

The Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club showed up to the event with engines rumbling in a show of support.

“As we look to where we are today in this country, so much turmoil, so much distress, but at least we are still honoring our veterans today,” said Andrea Ellis, retired Army Colonel.

Ellis served in the Army for more than 20 years. She now teaches the younger generation about the sacrifices members of the military make.

“A lot of times people don’t think the younger generation will get it, but they do,” Ellis said.

For Flores, it’s an honor to pay tribute to those no longer here. It’s something he does not just on Memorial Day, but all year long.

“It’s because of the sacrifices that a lot of the military members that are here at rest have made for our country that we are free,” Flores said.

A larger ceremony open to the public to honor all military members is taking place at 1:00 p.m. Monday at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City.