WORCESTER, Mass. — The City of Worcester honored the lives lost in the Vietnam War with a ceremony at Green Hill Park on Monday.

The state's four-acre memorial is separated into three different places: the Place of Flags, the Place of Words and the Place of Names, which lists the names of 1,546 men and one woman. It also includes a pond and walking paths.

Phil Madaio, the president of the memorial, said veterans who came back from the war didn't receive many accolades from the public, and were looked down upon.

In recent years, he said, he feels like people have more respect for them.

"We try to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country” Madaio said. “Even though some of us were on foreign soil, we still gave our lives so that we could live the way we do, and also to help those countries."

"You notice today we have Vietnamese people here who really appreciate they're back in this country, and they love the freedom," Madaio added.

A group of veterans called "Vietnam Veterans for the Community" works together to give tours of the memorial to younger children.