Houston National Cemetery was packed  for the annual Memorial Day Ceremony, this year entitled "...Freedom isn't free."

Jorge Lopez, a veteran of the United States Army and the director of the Houston National Cemetery, introduced the master of ceremonies, KPRC Local 2 Anchor Bill Balleza, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, who introduced the honored guests. Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

Houston Mayor Bill White brought a proclamation from City Hall. Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

Members of Congress, including Gene Green, John Culberson, Al Green and Ted Poe; and Rosylyn Brooks, representing Congress Member Sheila Jackson Lee, made remarks. Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

The special guest speaker was Major General, U.S. Army Retired, Charles W. "Bill" McClain, Jr. Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

Ashley Driver of Spring Wood United Methodist Church sang "America the Beautiful". Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

Josh Flynn, a USMC veteran, choir director of the Living Word Church of the Nazarene, sang "Here in America". Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

The program concluded with a Rifle Salute by the VFW District 4 Ceremonial Detail Co. A 13th U.S. Regular Infantry and a performace of Echo Taps by Sergeant Mark Collado, a Marine veteran, and Sergeant Josey M. Johnson, III with the Texas State Guard. Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

For more GuidryNews.com coverage of Memorial Day 2009 Click Here