Many arrived early to the Memorial Day ceremony at Nashville National Cemetery to honor current service members, veterans and those who have fallen.
The one lane roads through the 36,000 headstones were barely enough for the hundreds of attendees. As people lay flowers or gifts at the foot of the names of loved ones, local veterans organizations posted flags of the different branches of service.
"This is my mom and my dad," said Vickie Clemmons, whose parents are buried side by side next to a creek that runs through the cemetery. "He was in the Korean War and we're here to pay tribute."
"I'm so appreciated they pay tribute to the ones that have fallen," Clemmons said.
Many like Clemmons, remember their family fondly.
"I wish he was still here," said Paul Mertens. "I know all of these guys did what he did. Gave us the right do what we do."
Mertens said he wasn't particularly in tune with the meaning behind Memorial Day before he lost a loved one. Now, he rides his motorcycle in memory of Cpl. Overstreet.
"It's a normal day for them," said Martens. "It's not a normal day for us. It's a day we should all remember and not forget who gave us the right. That's how it should be."
A message echoed by the woman who gave the ceremony's memorial address. SSgt. Lisa Kiss is a US Army Veteran.
"Our soldiers fight and die, not for the glory of war, but for the prize of freedom," said Kiss. "They love America. They revere freedom. So, they sacrifice their own so that we may be free."
