MEDICAL LAKE, Wash. — Volunteers placed thousands of American flags on graves at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery ahead of Memorial Day.
More than 3,000 flags were placed across the cemetery’s 11,000 grave sites. Volunteers came from Fairchild Air Force Base and the Washington State Fallen Heroes Project.
“We have got a number of volunteer organizations helping us mark each grave with a flag,” said Rudy Lopez, the cemetery director.
For some volunteers, the work was personal. Brandy Johnson lost her brother to suicide after his military service.
“This morning I woke up with a really heavy heart,” Johnson said. “It just means a lot to be out here to say their names, remember them. They gave everything for us.”
Active duty service members also participated. Airman Grace Korovaynyk said the ceremony connects current military with those who served before.
“The uniform that I’m wearing represents all of these people,” she said. “Some get forgotten, so I think it’s important to hit each and every person.”
Senior Airman Freddie Garrette described giving a salute with each flag placement.
“Every time we place a flag down we give that person a salute,” he said. “These people planted the seeds for me to be here so I just want to pay my respects.”
Lopez said honoring veterans is his daily mission, not just on Memorial Day.
“It’s become a calling to honor our brothers and sisters,” Lopez said. “One day it will be my time to be placed in a veteran’s cemetery as well.”
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