Immediately after Sept. 11, 2001, patriotism soared, church attendance increased and politicians on both sides of the aisle united behind the president.

But now, church attendance is lower than it was before Sept. 11, when terrorists struck the United States.

“Patriotism has waned somewhat, and politics is dirty again,” Lamb told about 40 people who gathered Sunday afternoon at Tonganoxie’s VFW Park for Memorial Day services.

The reason for this change in attitude among Americans is rooted in selfishness, the pastor at West Haven Baptist Church said.

“It seems, many times, we interpret events only how they affect us,” he said.

Lamb challenged those people at Sunday’s ceremony to think of others and to remember those men and women who died in service to the United States.

“Memorial Day is also a day to say to ourselves: Don’t look out for only our own personal interest,” he said.

And he encouraged attendees to vow: “I will support the cause of freedom.”

The Memorial Day ceremony was hosted by members of Tonganoxie’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9271. It concluded with the planting of two trees by Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. According to Art Miller, VFW post commander, the trees originated in Denton, Texas, the birthplace of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.