Photos: Americans Gather Nationwide to Honor Fallen Service Members

(TheBlaze/AP) -- Americans today will gather at cemeteries, memorials and monuments nationwide to honor fallen military service members on Memorial Day, at a time when combat in Afghanistan approaches 12 years and the ranks of World War II veterans dwindles.

In one of many ceremonies honoring Americans killed in Afghanistan, the city of South Sioux City, Neb., plans to unveil a statue honoring Navy Petty Officer 1st Class John Douangdara, a dog handler for the SEALs killed in a 2011 helicopter crash.

In Atlanta, a dedication of the History Center's redone Veterans Park is scheduled for early evening. Soil from major battlefields will be scattered by veterans around the park's flagpole.

In suburban Boston, veterans gathered in a park to mark Memorial Day this year rather than hold a parade because of failing health and dwindling numbers. The city of Beverly called off its parade because so few veterans would be able to march. The parade has been a fixture in the town since the Civil War.

Here are some photos commemorating Memorial Day so far (we'll update the post as the day unfolds):

President Barack Obama positions a commemorative wreath during a ceremony on Memorial Day at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery on May 27, 2013 in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo: Getty Images)

An Army officer walks up the steps of the Ampitheater where President Barack Obama will delivers his Memorial Day address at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday, May 27, 2013. (Photo: AP)

The sun rises over a tornado ravaged home early on May 27, 2013 in Moore, Oklahoma. Residents and volunteers hung American flags in honor of fallen service members, as they work tirelessly to rebuild their own lives. (Photo: Getty Images)

Motorcyclists cross the National Mall during Rolling Thunder 2013 in Washington on Memorial Day weekend. The 26th Annual Rolling Thunder rumbled into he US capital to show support for veterans and those who have fallen in past and present wars. Some one million riders are expected to gather in Washington DC during the Memorial Day weekend. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

Members of the US military veterans' Rolling Thunder bikers group parade in Washington on Memorial Day Weekend. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

A motorcyclist rides his bike during Rolling Thunder 2013 in Washington on Memorial Day Weekend, 2013. The 26th Annual Rolling Thunder rumbled into he US capital to show support for veterans and those who have fallen in past and present wars. Some one million riders are expected to gather in Washington during the Memorial Day weekend. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

Cora Jacoby, six-months old, of Fond du Lac, Wisc., waves her flag during the Memorial Day parade in West Bend on Monday, May 27, 2013. (Photo: AP)

Johnny L. Gober, a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 443, salutes after presenting a wreath during a Memorial Day program at Macon Memorial Park Monday, May 27, 2013 in Macon, Ga. (Photo: AP)

Representing the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 7089 in Tumwater John and Sharon Bradburn toss ceremonial flowers into Budd Inlet during the annual Waterside Ceremony May 26, 2013 at Percival Landing in downtown Olympia,Wash. The event event honors those who lost their lives at sea while serving their country. (Photo: AP)

Two women hold up signs thanking the troops as members of the US military veterans' Rolling Thunder bikers group ride past in Washington as the country marks Memorial Day. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

A man salutes as members of the US military veterans' Rolling Thunder bikers group ride past in Washington as the country marks Memorial Day, 2013. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

Items are placed at the wall of the the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, ahead of Memorial Day in Washington, Sunday, May 26, 2013. (Photo: AP)

A veteran looks at the names of those who died etched into the wall of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, ahead of Memorial Day in Washington, Sunday, May 26, 2013. (Photo: AP)

[related]