Volunteers Place American Flags On Veterans' Graves At Woodlawn Cemetery In Honor On Memorial Day
BRONX, NY (CBS 2) -- Memorial Day is a week away, but the observances for fallen soldiers have already begun.
This weekend, hundreds of people took time out to remember those who gave their lives.
It's just one small American flag, but it stands for so much more.
More than 200 people from across our area spent their Saturday decorating the final resting places of fallen soldiers at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.
"Many members of my family before me were in the military, the Civil War, and I'm glad for the opportunity to come and decorate the veterans' graves," said veteran Arthur Gallagher.
For Julie Tropea of Yonkers, placing a certain flag held a special meaning. It was at the grave of her father who fought in World War II.
"I think he's looking down on me as well," she said.
A group of young cadets from the Bronx with maps and flags in hands, paid their respects to soldiers whose names they don't know and who they never met, but whose sacrifice they honor.
They had a lot of ground to cover. The cemetery is 400 acres and they put flags at 4,000 tombstones.
"We have veterans, we have cadets, we have Boyscouts, we have Girlscouts, we have the Boys Club, we have Girls Club members, we have volunteers. Everyone is coming out to help," said Brian Sahd with Friends of the Woodlawn Cemetery.
With each small flag remembering each soldier, their service, their lives and their memory.
How do you observe Memorial Day? Let us know in our comments section.
