Many people treat Memorial and Veterans days in the same manner - as a day to remember all who have served the nation through the military forces.
But the purists note a big difference: Memorial Day is a day to remember the fallen, who died during their service or who served and, later, died.
That memory is a key part of Monday's Jefferson City Veterans Council service at the National Cemetery, on East Miller at Locust Street.
The annual program includes a Two Bell ceremony - which gets its name because it begins and ends with the chiming of a bell twice - where the bell is sounded once each time the name of a veteran who died within the past year is announced. Family members or friends of that veteran then place a poppy on a wreath.
The service is held in a cemetery with graves dating back to before the Civil War - the conflict that spawned the annual Memorial Day remembrances throughout the nation.
Monday's ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m., and include Nicole Slusser singing the National Anthem and two patriotic numbers, "God Bless the USA" and "Letters from War."
The keynote speaker will be Scott Englund, a retired Missouri National Guard major who served overseas in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
Following provisions of the U.S. Flag Code, Gov. Jay Nixon ordered U.S. and Missouri flags at all state buildings to be flown at half-staff until noon, then raised to full-staff for the rest of the day.
And the governor noted in a news release, "The freedoms we enjoy are possible because of the brave men and women in our military who have been willing to sacrifice their own lives on behalf of our nation.
"On Memorial Day, I ask all Missourians to especially remember those who have paid this ultimate price for freedom."
Patriotic music also is the focus of two concerts Monday afternoon.
The Jefferson City Community Symphonic Band will play its 5th annual Memorial Day concert at 1 p.m. at First Christian Church, 327 Capitol Ave.
The free performance will honor veterans from the five armed forces branches.
Selections will include "The Armed Forces Salute," "Stars and Stripes Forever," "Crown Imperial," a tribute to Arlington National Cemetery, a tribute to the U.S. Navy, "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral" and a tribute to western migration.
The Monticello Singers' concert in the Capitol Rotunda from 3-4 p.m. will honor the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day and those veterans who served the nation in European, African or Pacific theaters of operations in World War II.
The all-male chorus' promotional material promises a mix of familiar patriotic songs, songs of inspiration, songs of family and friendship, and a few new songs designed for the uniqueness of the Capitol Rotunda setting, including a new arrangement of the song "Ship of State," selected to honor Sir Winston Churchill, and the "Navy Hymn," sung in memory of Jefferson City resident Laughton Smith, who was lost at sea with the crew of the USS Scorpion on Memorial Day weekend in 1968 during the Cold War.
Mary Fischer and Michelle Brooks of the News Tribune staff contributed information used in this story.