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MARQUETTE -- "Patriotism originates with pride, and so that is pride in belonging to your team--in this case your team is the United States of America--and nobody says that we're perfect, but we are a world power, and we're a power because we're free," says Michael Trickey, incoming commander of American Legion Post 44.

Sentiments TV6 Facebook followers seem to agree with.

Christine Koepp-Clark writes:  "We should be grateful to all of the military, veterans, and their families for their service to keep us safe.  Where would we be without them?"

Paul Kurf adds:  "The last thing a real patriot does is point to him/herself and brag about what a great American he/she is."

"Patriotism means the willingness to go and defend this country if the need should arise; many of us have and many have paid the supreme sacrifice," says outgoing post commander Frank Donckers.

Monday morning, Memorial Day services at Park Cemetery in Marquette brought together all of those that wanted to commemorate the day.

"It gives us a chance to remember those who have paid the supreme sacrifice to defend liberties, the liberties that we enjoy in this country," Donckers adds.

Is patriotism on the decline though?

Many of you expressed concern that the holiday is becoming more commercialized.

"It seems like the stores have sales, they talk about picnics.  I think what it is, is a time when our veterans get together," says veteran Ron Pearson.  "We think about our comrades, and I think it's a morning that we have as veterans, and we have something in common."

And Monday, members of American Legion Post 44, along with people from the community, honored the land of the free and the home of the brave and the soldiers and sailors who made that possible.

Monday's date of May 30 is actually the original date set for Memorial Day, when it was first observed in 1868.  Now Memorial Day is typically observed on the last Monday of every May.