RADCLIFF, Ky. — Families, friends, and those who serve honored the lives lost at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery-Central just outside of Fort Knox.
“The military was our bread and butter,” said Lisa Clarke-Woods, who’s honoring her father.
Clarke-Woods and her family visited her father’s gravesite.
“He was in the military for 25-plus years,” Clarke-Woods said.
U.S. Army Master Sergeant Charles Clarke passed away in October.
“Last Memorial Day we were at home and barbecuing and dad telling us you know what he wanted and we were celebrating together. Still, remembering the sacrifice he gave to us and giving him honor in that way so today is different for us where we’re not with him,” Clarke-Woods said. “He’s with us in our hearts and we wanted to come out here and still continue to honor him.”
That honor played out across the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery-Central as families, friends and veterans paid tribute.
“It’s important to remember all of the sacrifices that these veterans have given to us because you have to think about our freedom,” Clarke-Woods said. “And our quality of life that we have now is based on the sacrifices that these veterans have given us throughout the years in their service in the military.”
U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox Commander Major General Johnny Davis said every single loss has a special story, and it leaves a large impact.
A servicemember salutes the American flag during the National Anthem. (Spectrum News 1/Khyati Patel)
“More importantly, it’s to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this wonderful nation,” Major General Davis said. “And we must remember them each and every memorial day. it’s personal for me, I lost 9 soldiers in combat and I think about each and every one of them.”
It’s a day to honor each soul.
“We loved him so much and he loved us my father, and he enjoyed his life as an army man and the sacrifices that he gave to us,” Clarke-Woods said. “It was what he wanted to do and we are so proud of him.”
It’s the pride for the United States that we pause and remember the lives of those who’ve served our nation.
Officials with Fort Knox said anywhere between 300 to 400 people attended the ceremony.