This Memorial Day, we honor those who sacrificed their lives while fighting for our country. There were ceremonies across Tucson, but one ceremony in Marana held special meaning for the veterans and the families of Tucson's service men and women.
It was the first Memorial Day Ceremony at the Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, which is the only veteran only cemetery in Pima County.
The ceremony included an F-16 flyover, a wreath laying, and a rifle salute. "You can see by the standing room only that the community loves having their cemetery here," said cemetary director and retired Air Force Colonel Wanda Wright.
Before this cemetery existed, families would have to travel to the nearest veteran only cemetary, which is hours away in Sierra Vista.
"This makes it so much easier for the people of Tucson to bury their veterans and lay them to rest in a wonderful place," said Wright.
Paul G. Marsh is a Korean War veteran and worked for more than eight years to make this cemetery a reality. "These fellas they saved this country...If they hadn't done that, we wouldn't be here," Marsh said. "We need to show them that the community is behind them."
More than 200 people came to the first Memorial Day Ceremony here, and these veterans hope it only grows in years to come.
