Mountain Home Cemetery recognizes veterans, first responders with National Day of Service

The Mountain Home National Cemetery remembered the fallen and commemorated the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks by holding a National Day of Service on Saturday morning. The National Day of Service was held in partnership with the national nonprofit organization Carry the Load and encouraged people to honor the sacrifices of veterans by cleaning and beautifying their headstones. Chuck Jones, foreman at Mountain Home National Cemetery, said it was touching to partner with a group that recognizes veterans and the service of first responders during the 9/11 attacks. "They [Carry the Load] get together and try to do things to remember all the victims from 9/11 – the first responders and the service members that were either wearing the uniform at the time or put it on because of it," Jones said. "It's very heartwarming to see part of the community come out and give their time in remembrance, to do something for the veterans." Alongside local volunteers, a group of cadets from Daniel Boone High School's Junior ROTC program also came out to clean headstones. Cpl. Abigail Vasquez, public affairs officer for the JROTC program, said being out with some of her fellow classmates was special and showed the care each person has for the fallen. "I honestly think it's an honor to do this and that we got invited to do this because some of these cadets could be going home, playing their video games, playing on their phone or laying in bed, but they took the time out of their day to come and honor these veterans, especially after 9/11," she said. "It's an honor to be here today." Though it was not originally part of her Saturday plans, Vasquez said choosing to be a part of the headstone cleanings is meaningful to her because of the history behind each grave spot and the education it brings to the amount of people who serve their country. "I'm going to be so honest, I didn't want to come, but after being able to read all the names and seeing how many people served in certain wars and during their time, I'm thankful that they did to make this country a better place," Vasquez said. Lindsey Black and her family were another small group taking part in the headstone cleanings. She said she brought her family out to help her daughters gain service hours for their membership with American Heritage Girls and give a representation of what sacrifice looks like. "I wanted them to understand sacrifices, I wanted them to understand the cost of war and just to serve the community," Black said. Black is also an Air Force veteran and said participating in the grave cleanings helps to "continue the legacy" service members have created, especially for children. "This my anniversary weekend of when I went boots on the ground in Iraq, and for me, there's a space for me to sit and think about the people that I served with, the people that we lost during that time, and just to remember that the cost of war has a lot more to do with than headstones, American pride or flags being flown," she said. "There's a human cost to it. It's a human cost that…is a trickle down. How do we honor that, but also learn to hold the space for it for the next generation that will serve?"