ARLINGTON, Va. — Thousands of people from different walks of life and corners of the country came to Arlington National Cemetery Sunday to pay their respects.
“It was awe inspiring really," said Brady Mata, a first-time visitor from Washington state. “You always read, looking at some of the memorials in D.C., they say freedom is not free and this really exemplifies that.”
Jason Keith is currently serving our country.
"Just kind of starting my Army officer career now," he said.
Keith brought his dad from Ohio to see family that was laid to rest here.
"It’s one of the most solemn things you can really do," said Keith. "It’s something that I think is forgotten today in the hustle and bustle of life, but on weekends like this, as important as it is to have your time to yourself, it’s also very important just to take at least an hour out of your day and find something like this you can do."
Visiting Arlington is a tradition for locals too.
“I hope people understand what this means," said Melanie Morton, a Navy veteran who lives down the street.
She comes routinely to visit her parents.
“My dad, Jack G. White, he’s a World War II vet. Big Red One, first Infantry Division. Kasserine Pass, Sicily, and he would hit the beach the morning of 6 June on Omaha," said Morton. "I’ve been there, and I’m always impressed that he made it across that beach. If he hadn’t, I wouldn’t be talking to you right now.”
Some visitors don’t have a family member or friend buried at Arlington, but they did get a unique chance to get up close and honor its most famous memorial.
“Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, that represents everything. Never leave a man behind and that’s it," said Joe Bertozzi from Buffalo, New York.
For just the third time ever, guests could leave a token of remembrance at the foot of the grave for its flowers of Remembrance event.
“This is America right here. They gave everything for us," said Bertozzi. "Everything we do throughout the day, we do it because they got here first.”
Replacing a few moments of celebration this holiday weekend to remember what it’s for.
“Beautiful but somber," said Derek Sondeland from North Dakota who left flowers at the memorial. “It’s definitely a somber experience.”