Raleigh, N.C. — Organizers have urged the public to come out to two early Memorial Day events dedicated to all fallen and surviving local veterans on Sunday afternoon.

Raleigh Post One of the American Legion has sponsored a service at the Raleigh National Cemetery, 501 Rock Quarry Road, for the 77th consecutive year.

Representatives of several patriotic groups will place wreaths on the graves of fallen veterans. The Raleigh Concert Band will accompany the service, beginning at 1:30 p.m.

The ceremony will feature a speech by James "Jim" F. Sansom, a veteran who was held as a prisoner of war during World War II.

"We use this occasion to thank the men and women of our armed forces all over the world for their faithful service and to honor those who have gone before them," Anthony Bonapart, commander of Post One, wrote in a news release.

Wake Memorial Park  will open a special part of its cemetery to be dedicated to the honor of all local veterans.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Veterans' Garden of Honor will be held at 4 p.m.

Wake Memorial Park, 7002 Green Hope School Road in Cary, is offering burial spots at no cost to 100 veterans.