Memorial Day is a big event at every national cemetery across the nation.
But this year, in Sarasota, it’s even more meaningful.
For the first time since the Sarasota National Cemetery opened six years ago, all of the gravesites will have flags placed on them.
An effort made possible thanks to Meshia Richardson, a co-advisory leaders and volunteer with Flags For Fallen Vets. The non-profit works to place flags at every gravesite throughout the United States for Memorial Day.
Richardson’s husband is buried at the cemetery. He died in January.
Richardson said shortly after his death, she decided she needed to do more to help honor every veteran buried there, so she started raising money to make sure every gravesite would get a flag on Memorial Day.
Richardson said fundraising started out slow at first, and that she was even worried she’d have to cancel. But, then the community came together and she surpassed her goal of raising $15,000 to buy more than 10,000 flags.
“It is important,” said Richardson. “We need to honor our veterans. Memorial Day was originally Decoration Day, and the purpose of Decoration Day was to honor the men and women who served our country, that wrote that blank check to the United States of America. This is our way of honoring them.”
The flags will be placed at all of the gravesites Saturday morning starting at 8 a.m.
When the group places all of the flags on the gravesites, the public is invited to watch. A group of volunteers are already in place to help.
On Sunday, a Memorial Day service will be held at Sarasota National Cemetery at 5 p.m. Those who attend are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Public parking will be on site.
The flags will be removed on Thursday, May 28 starting at 9 a.m. Volunteers are needed.