Local lawmakers and military members came together at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum this Memorial Day to honor those who served the country.  

In his remarks, Mayor Bill de Blasio said looking out for the living is the best way to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"It is Memorial Day. Yes, it is a day to remember those lost and hold them in our hearts, and be inspired by them, and reminded by them, of what service means. And now let's, every day, take that spirit and support all those who serve us to bravely, and all those who have," de Blasio said.

The mayor says New Yorkers should take pride in the city's efforts to take care of its veterans.

He's also calling for greater attention and openness in addressing mental health care for vets who need it.

Highlights of the event included the unfurling of a 100-foot American flag and a rifle salute.

There are several closures and service changes in effect throughout the city today thanks to the Memorial Day holiday. 

Public schools, banks and post offices are closed, as well as the financial markets. 

Garbage and recycling pickup is suspended.

Subways, buses, the Staten Island railway, Metro-North and the LIRR are all operating on Sunday schedules.

Alternate Side parking rules are suspended and you don't have to feed the parking meters.

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama marked Memorial Day by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

For the eighth and final time in his presidency, he spoke briefly about the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

He said the best way to honor the fallen, to fill the silence of their absence, is to remember their comrades and families still living.

"For us, the living, those of us who still have a voice, it is our responsibility, our obligation, to fill that silence with our love and our support and our gratitude, and not just with words but with our actions," Obama said.

The tomb is dedicated to American service members who died without their remains being identified. Nearly 300 are buried there. 

Ealier in the day, service members also gathered at the National Air Force memorial to pay tribute to fallen air men and women.

A wreath-laying ceremony was held in Arlington, Virginia.

During the service, retired and current air force members honored those who lost their lives while serving their country.

They reminded attendees that Memorial Day is somber day meant for remembrance.

"We are here to recognize those who have given then ultimate sacrifice for our country. We also need to be clear on why we are not here. This not a day of barbecue, this is not a day that the swimming pools open, this is not the unofficial first day of summer. This is Memorial Day," said Retired U.S. Air Force General Larry Spencer.

More than 54,000 men and women have died serving in the U.S. Air Force.

Also in Washington, the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service hosted this year's Memorial Day Observance ceremony.

Officials marked the occasion with a traditional wreath-laying at the Freedom Wall, which is part of the World War II memorial site.

Some of the last living military men who served were in attendance.

Around 16 million Americans served in the war. More than 400,000 were killed in the line of duty.