Every Memorial Day we pause to remember and honor our veterans that have served our great nation to defend our freedom. Some of us simply stop to think about our fallen war heroes, some watch programs on television honoring our veterans and some say a prayer for the fallen. Also, many folks take time to visit war memorials around the country. People don’t always immediately think about visiting and honoring the sacred ground where veterans have been laid to rest.
In Middle Tennessee on the Friday before Memorial Day, one cemetery, in particular, knows the true meaning of Memorial Day and has honored the sacred ground for many years on this important day. Williamson Memorial Gardens is located in Franklin, TN just south of Nashville
What is The True Meaning of Memorial Day?
For many years the Stephens family and staff of Williamson Memorial along with VFW Post 4839 and the Franklin Elks Lodge #72 have placed flags on every veteran’s grave in the cemetery. Many, many proud hands attend this even year to place flags on the various graves. Cemetery co-owner Pam Stephens says, “This is the least we can do to let all the families of fallen veterans know that they will never be forgotten.”
Every volunteer will take as many flags as they can carry and place them beside every military marker. With thousands of graves throughout the twenty-two-acre property, many hands make for light work. “We have several thousand memorials on the ground here, but on this day, we are honoring those who made the greatest sacrifice. The flags stay in place for ten days after Memorial Day to serve as a reminder to everyone that freedom does not come without cost. A great price has been paid to protect our country’s freedom and it is on Memorial Day that we recognize and honor those great heroes.”
Anyone from the community including children, adults, and veterans is welcome to participate in placing the flags on the graves.
The event will be on Friday, May 28 at 5:00 PM.
The Stephens family
