KENT, Wash. -- Gov. Chris Gregoire attended one of the largest Memorial Day observances in Western Washington at the Tahoma National Cemetery on Monday.

Gregoire and dozens of military families and veterans gathered to remember those who died while serving their country.

"We honor them, we honor their families and we come here today in support of them," Gregoire said.

Many of those buried at the cemetery were killed in action, including four servicemen who were killed just since the last Memorial Day.

"In the depth of our souls, we know that they died for each one of us. And so we set aside one day a year as a nation to remember and honor them," said Navy Station Everett Commander Capt. Thomas Mascolo.

At James Anderson's final resting place three generations of his family gathered to honor his Army Air Corps service during World War II.

"It is a time I think, especially for us, to kind of connect the generations. My mother tells the story of decoration day," said veteran's daughter Susan Iadanza.

"And you'd take the flowers in the yard out to the cemetery and that was always a very important day and time," said widow Patty Anderson.

Decoration Day is now Memorial Day, but the day's sentiments remain the same with families coming together to remember their loved one who died while defending their country.

Four generations of the Benton family gathered at the cemetery on Monday to pay tribute to Navy veteran Willard Benton.

"It 's just great. It's just great being with them anytime," said widow Celia May Benton.