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Fallen Heroes and Families Honored

Nicole Ebat

RALSTON,NEB.(KPTM)-- Fallen soldiers and their families were honored in a solemn ceremony Sunday afternoon.

Families and loved ones of fallen Nebraska soldiers gathered in Independence Square in Ralston for the Fallen Heroes and Gold Star Families Appreciation Day.

A large flag hung from a fire truck overhead as the families held balloons and listened as each soldier's name was read, accompanied by the ring of a bell.

A board with the fallen soldiers' names was displayed on the lawn in front of city hall.

This is the last of a five-year tradition in Ralston. The town's police chief Ron Murtaugh said local towns had been finding their own ways to honor their soldiers. He said fewer families had been attending the ceremony recently.

Ralston's mayor read a poem and declared September 23, 2012  "Fallen Heroes and Families Appreciation Day".

A move many of the families said they were humbled by.

The soldiers were further remember with a gun salute and a balloon release.