NORTHAMPTON — Service, sacrifice, the commitment of veterans and active military service members from across Massachusetts and support from their families should always be recognized, says retired U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford.

Speaking Thursday afternoon at the first-ever Military Appreciation Day at the State House, Dunford, who grew up in Quincy, praised those who have served and those who continue to serve to preserve American freedoms.

“Those serving today are the bedrock of our nation,” Dunford said, observing that the tradition of military service in the state dates back to 1775, in the wake of Concord and Lexington, and the formation of the Army, Navy and Marines 250 years ago.

Dunford, who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Obama, thanked the spouses of military members and their parents, as well. “Without you, those who serve could not serve, and I know that from personal experience,” Dunford said.

Among those in attendance inside the House chamber, along with Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and Senate President Karen Spilka, were numerous Massachusetts veterans, with all legislators given the opportunity to nominate someone to be part of the hour-long ceremony. Six veterans from Hampshire County and one from Franklin County were among those recognized.

In Hampshire County, the honorees were:

John Paradis of Florence, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and freelance writer, nominated by Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton;

Sidney Zachary Moss of Northampton, a centenarian who took part in the Allied invasion of France during D-Day in 1944, nominated by Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton;

Roderick Anderson of Amherst, who served in the Air Force and now runs the water technology business Elateq, nominated by Rep. Mindy Domb, D- Amherst;

Brian Willette of South Hadley, commander of South Hadley American Legion Post 260 and a member of the state’s Military Order of Purple Hearts, nominated by Rep. Homar Gomez, D-Easthampton;

Charly Oliva of Belchertown, the town’s veterans services officer who served in the Army in Afghanistan and Iraq, nominated by Rep. Aaron Saunders, D-Ludlow;

Michael Slater of Granby, who served four tours of duty in the Army and previously was program support assistant at the Springfield Vet Center, nominated by Sen. Jacob Oliveira, D-Ludlow.

For Franklin County, Christopher Demars of Greenfield, deputy director of the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Service District, was honored. after being jointly nominated by Reps. Natalie Blais, D-Deerfield, and Susannah Whipps, D-Athol.

The ceremony began with the pledge of allegiance led by members of Gold Star families and the national anthem, performed by Michelle Brooks-Thompson, an Amherst Regional High School graduate and 2006 Mount Holyoke College alumna.

In her remarks, Healey referenced her work on behalf of veterans, including the resurgence of the Holyoke and Chelsea veterans homes, the HERO Act legislation to improve welfare of veterans and addressing veteran homelessness.

She called the day a way to pay tribute to miltary heroes, veterans and service members, who deserve to be treated well. They are inspirational in the high bar they have set for service to the country, Healey said, and she thanked them for gracing the state.

Healey noted the event coincided with National Maritime Day. “We are a state that has been about military tradition since the very beginning,” Healey said.

Healey also called on those present to fight antisemitism and hate, acknowledging the killings of two staffers at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, Wednesday.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jon Santiago said more can be done to appreciate the fallen and to celebrate military families, advocates and caregivers, and the day is “to give the commonwealth a moment to pause and reflect, we see you, we thank you and we’re better because of you,” Santiago said.

“You are the reason this day exists, you are the reason we continue this work,” Santiago said.

Dunford observed that he was inspired to serve by an entire generation who came together to defend the United States, by uncles who served in World War II, by a father who served in the Korean War and coming of age in the shadow of Vietnam War veterans.

He said he was proud to wear the cloth of the nation and follow in the footsteps of the “long chain of men and women from Massachusetts” who have served, and the willingness of citizens to answer the call to service.

Dunford said the ceremony should remind people how fortunate Massachusetts is, on the cusp of Memorial Day.

“We have an enduring responsibility to take care of those veterans and family members who need our support, and we have a sacred duty to remember the fallen,” Dunford said.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.