NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. — People around the nation are continuing to honor the men and women who lost their lives in services to the country.
Camp Nelson National Cemetery in central Kentucky was packed on Monday, with families and supporters who joined war heroes and others for a special and now annual tradition.
The sun shined brightly on the cemetery in Nicholasville and perfectly for groups and more to remember their loved ones.
A Memorial Day tradition for this community, soldiers and families came together at the historic site that left many with a sentimental feeling.
Tamera Izlar and family were visiting her father, James L. Izlar Jr. — a former U.S. Marine who is now resting at Camp Nelson.
“You can look around and see all of the people who are here to celebrate and enjoy the freedoms that those who sacrifice their life to enjoy those freedoms that we enjoy. But we still come and honor them year after year and time after time,” Izlar explained.
She says as a former 20-year-long pastor of a church in Crestwood, he would compare his time in the military to his faith.
“My dad used to sing a lot of songs that many people in the faith-based communities may know. ‘We are soldiers in the army... Although we have to fight, we may have to cry... we have to hold up that bloodstain banner...” Izlar recalled her dad’s inspiration.
The day was centered on special shows from aircraft, honor-guards, and more.
It brought families like the brewers yearly to pay their respects — William Brewer, an elementary schooler, took extra pride in the day and the heroes along with his sister and parents.
His dad said it shows young people like his son just how many servicemen and women sacrificed their lives.
“Showing them the folks who have made the sacrifices, and seeing a lot of the veterans who were at the event, brings some insight to what it’s really all about being in the military, and serving our country,” Brewer said.
Izlar says the site is a powerful place to be on a Memorial Day.
“I have people on site who just wanted to be here, but you’re not able to see you,” she said. “But they’re here on the premises because that’s how much it meant for them to be in this space.”
With the midday sun at a peak, families camped around tombstones and placed flags as a salute to those who put their country ahead of themselves.
According to the National Park Service, the historic cemetery holds nearly 2,400 soldiers from different war eras and as early as 1863.