We venerate that 'greatest generation' of World War II veterans. Our veneration reaches all the way to paying for those 'Honor Flights' that bring them to DC to see the WWII memorial.
That is your problem: you are not looking to the Bible to define the difference btwn mere obeisance to man versus worship. In relatively rare cases bowing down to men of God is sanctioned in showing reverence or humiliation, (Gn. 42:6; 43:26;28; 48:12; Rv. 3:9) but never btwn NT brethren, which Peter refused, (Acts 10:25.26) for Christ said, "all ye are brethren," "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. (Matthew 23:8,12)
But what is never sanctioned is
kneeling before a statue
and praising the entity it represented in the unseen world,
and as having Divine powers and glory,
and or making offerings and beseeching such for Heavenly help,
directly accessed by mental prayer.
Is this how people venerate WW2 vets?
Out the over 200 prayers in Scripture , can you show us even one where a believer addresses anyone else in Heaven but the Lord?
Or anywhere in which anyone else but the Lord has the power to hear virtually infinite amounts of prayer, even mental prayer, addressed to them?
Let alone the demigoddess status ascribed to The MARY of CATHOLICISM