A small group of veterans gathered in Bouligny Plaza Saturday afternoon to mark the nation’s 69th annual Armed Forces Day.

John Hebert, a National Guard veteran and members of the Iberia Veterans Association, used the small turnout to point out that the day is not only about honoring the nation’s military members, both serving and veteran, but about remembrance.

“I wonder why these seats are not filled,” he said in opening his remarks. “I’ll answer my own question. It’s because we forget.”

Hebert cited the sacrifices members of the military have made to protect the nation’s freedoms, those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation’s liberty.

“I’ll be making sure I remember,” he said.

The short program included members of Boy Scout Troop 133 assisting in the raising of the colors and scout Jasim Ali leading the crowd in the singing of the National Anthem and God Bless America, as well as an invocation and benediction from former military U.S. Army chaplain and current minister of First Christian Baptist Rev. Curley Adams.

The ceremony also served as a marker for Loyalty Day, which is celebrated on May 1 each year. Although first celebrated in 1921, it was almost four decades later before Congress recognized the holiday.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower announced the first federal Loyalty Day on May 1, 1955. Congress passed legislation making the holiday an annual event in 1958.

Established in 1950, Armed Forces Day combined existing holidays for each of the military services into one celebration. It falls on the third Saturday of May each year.

Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, closes out the month of remembrance. The Iberia Veterans Association is planning its annual Memorial Day event for 6 p.m. on Monday, May 27 at the Bouligny Plaza Gazebo.