Fallen service members honored with Memorial Day ceremony in Frankfort

Families gather as 22 names are added to the Kentucky National Guard Memorial

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – Communities across Kentucky paused on Memorial Day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

A solemn ceremony was held at the entrance of the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, where veterans, active military members, state leaders, and community members gathered to pay tribute to the men and women who died in service.

Governor Andy Beshear attended the event alongside other state officials.

“We are home of the free because of the brave and it’s important especially for the families that lost someone in such a difficult way, to see this country show up and say thank you, not just once a year but hopefully every day,” said Beshear.

During the ceremony, 22 names were added to the Kentucky National Guard Memorial. Among the crowd were families who personally knew those honored.

Barbra Trowell, a Gold Star family member, lost her daughter Latonia in 2015.

“She helped and took care of her grandmother, she took care of all of us. All you had to do was call and say ‘can you help,’ and she was there. It was a piece of my life that was torn away but she is forever imbedded in my spirit,” said Trowell.

This year’s Memorial Day also follows another wave of historic and deadly storms across the Commonwealth.

Governor Beshear reflected on the National Guard’s crucial role in responding to the recent disasters.

“We’ve been hammered at least four times by major storms and we’ve needed the National Guard each and every time. Thankfully they’ve been ready they’ve deployed quickly and along with the Kentucky State Police and local first responders, they’ve saved a lot of lives,” said Beshear.