FORT MYERS, Fla. -- A special Memorial Day service was held Monday at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens, where about 500 people showed up to honor the lives of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
It's not just a day off of school or work. "Memorialization is something we do every day, but this is a chance to really be able to invite folks out and especially celebrate the heroes," says garden general manager Donnell Sullivan.
Fort Myers Memorial Gardens is a final resting place for more than three thousand U.S. veterans.
"We appreciate everything the Marines and all the people in the military have done for us," said Fort Myers residents Donna and Dave.
Some people said they came to teach their young ones what this day really means, while others take the day a little more personally. “I served in the Army National Guard from 1970 to 1976," said Steve.
"I'm an ex-Marine who served in Vietnam," said Dave. Donna and Dave come to this ceremony on Memorial Day every year. This time, they say it's extra special because of their granddaughter, Ashley. "She's in the Navy, and she's on her first deployment, so we're very proud of her."
And they say there's nowhere else they'd rather be than alongside hundreds of others on a day like this. "It's a beautiful day here in sunny Florida. What more could you ask for?”
