ANDOVER — “It’s unbelievable that so many people died from the little old town of Andover,” said Steve Hall who had earlier tolled the bell 20 times for each of Andover’s Civil War casualties during the town’s Memorial Day service on Monday morning.

Also remembered were two men from World War I and six from World War II who never came home to Andover but are memorialized on large stone markers.

Pastor and Andover Selectman Justin Thacker recited a prayer with the words, “Let’s not forget the price they paid to keep our country free.” Thacker noted that America’s total war casualties numbered 1,304, 705

About 30 people participated in the Andover Common ceremony which began and ended with Thacker’s prayers. Keyboard renditions of God Bless America and The National Anthem were played by Hall.

Freeman Farrington, 94, holds Andover’s Boston Cane. He was the master of ceremonies and said Memorial Day means a great deal to him. he expressed pride in his work with the Knights of Pythias, whose members host the annual service.

Farrington returned to Andover in the 1950’s after serving in the Korean War as an Ammunition Supply Specialist. All three of his sons, Mark, Scott and Keith, participated in the ceremony on Monday. His daughter Betty Davis was looking after his wife, he said.

After all of the veterans at the ceremony assembled for a group shot, Alston Roberts, Matt Elliot, Spencer Couture and Mark Farrington laid wreaths on the four  memorial markers.

Christine Swain read “Flanders Field,” the war poem written during World War I by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae.

While Keith Farrington lowered the flag, Corey Mills played taps. “You gonna stop over and have coffee?” asked Farrington as he headed to Mill’s Market to join participants.

Reflecting on the service, Thacker said, “I like what we do here, when you hear the names, and you hear the bell ring and you see the lowering of the flag, it’s a solemn remembrance.”

He walked to his car humming a church hymn.