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A baby cried when the honor guard issued its three-volley salute. But maybe it wasn’t the pop of the rifles. Perhaps the baby was upset for another reason.

Like being one of the few young people in the crowd Monday morning at Riverside Park in downtown Bonita Springs.

About 150, only a handful of which appeared to be under 40, turned out for the Bonita Springs Memorial Day Dedication.

The younger attendees came with their family in remembering fallen loved ones.

Niki Kessler, 15, joined about six other family members in honoring her grandfather, Rosario J. Miceli and great uncle William “Bill” H. Berry. Both of her fallen relatives were represented by one of 100 flying flags, which formed an aisle encircling the back of the park.

“A lot of the younger people don’t really understand about — if you don’t have family members here — then they don’t really understand what it’s all about,” said Kessler, a student at Gulf Coast High School in Naples. “But probably if their family members are here, than they should come out and respect them.”

The ceremony consisted of several speeches, including one from Paul Martel, Florida American Legion Vice Commander, who shared with audience members the origin of Memorial Day.

Martel said the day dates back to the Civil War, when it was known as Decoration Day. Martel said it was not until 1967 that the day became an official federal holiday celebrated on the last Monday in May, creating a convenient three-day weekend.

“As the unofficial beginning of summer, let us not lose focus about what Memorial Day really means. It is not about beaches, picnics or auto races. It is a day to remember,” Martel said. “There are many ways to remember our fallen heroes ... but if you ask our heroes before they died how they would like to be honored most would probably say ‘take care of my family.’”

And so they did.

Kessler was with her grandmother, Gina Miceli, her mother, Diane Kessler, her second cousin, Wesley Berry, and her first cousin, Carleigh Berry.

Carleigh, 10, said she enjoyed the event, but didn’t seem to know why.

“It was cool,” Carleigh said. “Just to see all the veterans and soldiers who are here ... just to see all the flags.”

Wesley Berry, 30, said it may be too hot to hold the event later in the day, when more younger people may attend.

William Pace, 80, who was taken capture after his bomber was shot down over Germany during World War II, said he nearly broke down during the ceremony while remembering the crew members who didn’t make it. He called the event exceptional, saying it gets better year after year, and knew of at least one reason why youth did not come out.

“Young people haven’t been educated about World War II, and I think it’s a disservice,” Pace said.

Berry felt similarly. Lessons need to occur, he said.

“I think it’s important that people do educate their children on Memorial Day,” Berry said. “We may have lost a lesson, but at least we didn’t lose their spirit.”