More than 1,000 people gathered Monday at Rosehill Cemetery to honor veterans of the past and present during a Memorial Day parade, ceremony and cookout.

The parade route inside the North Side cemetery was marked by the “Avenue of Flags,” which consisted of American flags displayed in honor of more than 175 deceased veterans flying in the light breeze on a sunny morning. Those marching led community members down to the Rosehill Veteran Garden, and the ceremony began.

Shawn LaFleur, post commander of Tattler Post 973, led the event.

LaFleur said he encourages others to do more than just remember veterans on Memorial Day. He encouraged veterans to participate in organizations that lobby for service members and to host events like the parade so that the sacrifices and experiences of veterans aren’t forgotten.

If veterans don’t remember other veterans, the holiday’s significance will disappear.

“When you see that veteran out there, say, ‘Thank you for your service,’” LaFleur said. “Remember that even if they didn’t go to war, they still were doing something to help defend the country.”

The parade stepped off around 10 a.m. at Rosehill Drive and Ashland Avenue before traveling through the cemetery’s bell tower entrance. The members of American Legion Tattler Post 973 and Vazquez Post 939, the Lane Tech High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and local Scouts marched in the parade alongside veterans of all ages.

Michael O’Connell, an Army veteran who served in Iraq, attended the event with his three young sons. As a member of Tattler Post, he said his family has attended for the last three years.

“This is a big day. We lost a lot of guys over there, about 20 in our battalion,” O’Connell said. “I cry as soon as I hit the gates. I have a lot of gratitude for those guys because it could have been any of us.”

Also in attendance were 40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez and state Reps. Hoan Huynh and Kevin Olickal.

Huynh spoke during the ceremony about his experiences as a refugee of the Vietnam War. He said that on Memorial Day, he remembers the 58,000 American soldiers who died fighting in Vietnam.

“I think about folks who were there to make sure that kids like me, a Vietnam War refugee, was able to have the opportunity to succeed in the United States of America,” Huynh said. “They fought for human rights. They fought for freedom. They fought for democracy.”

Michael Weidman spoke on behalf of Rosehill Cemetery at the ceremony. He said that at least one veteran from every U.S. war is laid to rest there. He said that veterans know intimately the cost of freedom.

“Freedom is paid for with time away from home and hometowns. Freedom is families put on hold or perhaps in an education delayed,” Weidman said. “Freedom is paid for with mental distress and post-traumatic stress syndrome. It is paid for with compromised health and disfigurement. Freedom is paid for with a subordination of one’s own life and will to that of the needs of a country.”

The ceremony ended with a roll call of the veterans from various organizations who had recently died and the laying of a memorial wreath. A complimentary cookout with chips, hot dogs and sodas followed the event. Veterans and community members mingled around the cemetery as a Civil War reenactment began.

Barry and Judy Glaser said they’ve been coming to the cemetery on Memorial Day together for over 30 years. Barry Glaser, a Vietnam War veteran, said it’s probably been a 45-year-long tradition for him.

Reflecting on the event’s importance, Judy Glaser said the true meaning of Memorial Day involves remembering the veterans who gave their lives and showing appreciation for their service.

“It’s nice to have something that’s a service and remembrance,” she said of the ceremony. “That’s what the day is for. It’s not for a … Memorial Day sale.”

Tribune photographer Stacey Wescott contributed.

oalexander@chicagotribune.com