MOSES LAKE - 75 veterans from Moses Lake who have died received a final salute Tuesday during a Veterans Memorial Tribute.

About 30 people attended the event at the McCosh Park Veteran Wall on a windy afternoon in Moses Lake, including a few family members of veterans who did not receive military honors at the time of their deaths. The names of the 75 veterans were read aloud by members of the Washington Army National Guard Honor Guard who made the trip from the Tri-Cities, accompanied by the ceremonial ringing of a bell and full military honors with support from American Legion Post No. 28, Ephrata and No. 209, Moses Lake. The honors included an unfurling of the flag, a rifle volley and the playing of Taps.

Military funeral honors are one way the nation shows its gratitude to those who have faithfully defended the country.

Family members of veterans honored were given American flags as part of the emotional ceremony, many thanking the Honor Guard members for holding the event.

In 2000, Congress made this type of ceremony a statutory benefit for veterans' families. Until then, honorably serving men and women died without ever receiving the nation's formal demonstration of gratitude for their service.

The Tuesday event in Moses Lake is one of a series of ceremonies being conducted throughout the state by the Honor Guard Program.