Marana, Ariz. (KGUN) — On Memorial Day, people gather at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Marana. They know it’s not just a holiday. it’s personal.

For those who have served in the military or have family members or friends registered to live in the fires of war, Memorial Day is a special day to remember loved and lost lives.

The mayor of Marana, Vietnam, Ed Honea, served in the Naval Combat Construction Battalion. He remembered four of his friends who were killed there.

“They didn’t have the chance to get married. They didn’t have the chance to have families. They didn’t have the chance to celebrate like we do today. And it reminded me of that.” I will let you.”

The number of men and women who died for our country is staggering. The Department of Veterans Affairs tallied the number of dead and wounded going back to the Revolutionary War. To check the list yourself, Click this highlight.

Marana Veterans Memorial Cemetery is Arizona’s newest cemetery. Seven years have passed since the first burial.

Veteran Paul Marsh is now 92 years old. He spent ten years gathering support to make the construction of the cemetery a reality.

With one Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery near Flagstaff and another in Sierra Vista, he wanted a more central location for veterans and their families.

“What about the rest of us?

David Sayre served 27 years in the Air Force. He now knows that the United States has an all-volunteer military and that many Americans do not have direct contact with their serving families.

“Most people don’t understand or really appreciate what their service is. I understand the mindset, but that’s why we have a free country.” We are grateful and blessed to be part of it.”

And at this ceremony, those who understood the service more deeply gathered to express their gratitude.