South Boston gathered in a pre-Memorial Day ceremony Sunday, carrying out an annual tradition of remembering and reminding the community to honor the fallen.

“This is a special day for us veterans, because it’s the day of remembrance,” said Tom McCarthy, commander of the Thomas J. Fitzgerald VFW Post and master of ceremonies for Sunday’s event. “We all know the sacrifice the departed made for us and to remember them is an obligation that we as veterans feel. This day means a lot to us and to be able to share it with the neighborhood and make people aware of what this day means means a lot to us veterans.”

Community members, elected officials and veterans gathered at the Thomas J. Fitzgerald VFW Post 561 at 9 a.m. Sunday to begin the ceremony.

At 9:30 a.m., the community marched together to the Medal of Honor Park for a wreath laying ceremony at the South Boston Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

An important part of Memorial Day, McCarthy said, is “helping teach people with what this day means.” Sunday brought new and old members of the South Boston community together to do just that, he said.

“There are people who live in the community, who want to be with us,” said McCarthy. “We have a veteran who is 103 years olde. Her name’s Olivia, and she unfortunately deals with loss of memory. But to have her there joining us — she’s from the South Boston community — it’s a very emotional thing to thank her.”

The gathering Sunday was a reminder of veterans like Olivia still living among the community, as well as memories of those who’ve died, the commander said.

The veterans’ neighborhood community is set to gather again for a South Boston Vietnam Veterans day in September and again for Veterans Day, McCarthy said.