Kent remembers those who paid the ultimate sacrifice

Kathleen Lindenmayer, a U.S. Navy captain, offers a salute Monday during a Memorial Day ceremony in the St. Andrew's Church cemetery in Kent. May 28, 2012 Photo: Trish Haldin

Bearing the colors Monday during a Memorial Day ceremony in the St.Andrew's Church cemetery in Kent are Mike VanValkenburg, left, who served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force and has marched in 42 Memorial Day parades in Kent, and Charles Tuz, who just finished U.S. Marine boot camp. May 28, 2012 Photo: Trish Haldin

Crowds in the many hundreds braved the muggy weather Monday to attned Kent's Memrial Day ceremonies and parade. May 28, 2012 Photo: Trish Haldin

Kent Memorial Day, May 28, 2012 Photo: Trish Haldin

Kent Memorial Day, May 28, 2012 Photo: Trish Haldin

The firing squad offers a gun salute as a climax to the Memorial Day ceremony in Kent. May 28, 2012 Photo: Trish Haldin

The Kent Center School marching band strides along Main Street (Route 7) while performing patriotic music during their town's Memorial Day parade. May 28, 2012 Photo: Trish Haldin

Martha Atwood of Kent bonds with her grandaughter, Maya Atwood, 3, of Avon and a friend, Calvin Taltavall, 8, from Warren Monday during the Memorial Day parade in Kent, May 28, 2012 Photo: Trish Haldin

Bethany Keck of Kent performs "America the Beautiful" during her town's Memorial Day ceremony, May 28, 2012 Photo: Trish Haldin

Hilmer Parson, a U.S. Navy chief, retired, holds his salute during the Memorial Day parade in Kent, May 28, 2012 Photo: Trish Haldin

Seventh-grader Lily Bournival, 13, plays "Taps" at the conclusion of the Memorial Day ceremony in Kent, May 28, 2012 Photo: Trish Haldin

Eighth-grader Emily Klingebiel, 13, plays "Taps" at the conclusion of the Memorial Day ceremony in Kent, May 28, 2012 Photo: Trish Haldin

Matthew Burke, 4, of Kent and big sister Bailey, 7, wave their Stars and Stripes Monday as their town's Memorial Day parade passes by. May 28, 2012 Photo: Trish Haldin