ACWORTH - Despite gloomy skies, the city of Acworth conducted an uplifting ceremony Wednesday at the Veterans Memorial at Cauble Park.

Kennesaw resident John Huie, a veteran of the Air Force, has attended the Veterans Day ceremony for three years.

"It means so much for those who served, particularly now after going through two wars and with what just happened at Fort Hood," he said. "Some of my most fond memories are of my military experience. It was the most valuable part of my life."

The guest speaker was retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Joel C. Reaves. Reaves is also the JROTC commander at North Cobb High School in Kennesaw.

"You should know that if I had my life to do over again, I'd do it the same way," he said. "I would change a few things, but I would hope to be in this exact same place today - a day like this, standing before you and giving you this speech and knowing exactly how I got here. I know that in this audience today there are many who served in all the branches of the military. We all know that when it comes down to protecting this great country of ours, we all served proudly. Bless them all (veterans). We served, and we still serve today."

Mayor Tommy Allegood opened the ceremony by saying that some of his proudest moments serving as mayor have been spent at the Veterans Memorial.

"We've come together as a community today to remember and say thank you. Some of my personal proudest moments have not only been right here, but they were the proud moments for my dad. From the day we built this memorial, my dad never missed a service," Allegood said.

Allegood's father was a Navy veteran. He was at the Omaha Beach landing during World War II.

"My dad passed away in July. He was a great American patriot and my personal hero," Allegood said. "This is why we come together as a community. To remember our families, loved ones, those that have served, those that are with us today and those that are in heaven."

Reaves' son, Aaron Reaves, was among those killed in the line of duty. Reaves asked the audience to stand as he read the names of former North Cobb High School graduates who died while serving their country.

Acworth's Veterans Day Ceremony also included a ceremonial flag folding and the singing of the national anthem and "America the Beautiful."