Hundreds of People Place Flags on Graves at Camp Nelson National Cemetery

Jessamine County Witnesses a Heart-Warming Display of Respect and Gratitude

By Alyssa Williams | Published: May 25, 2024 at 2:08 PM EDT

JESSAMINE COUNTY, KY – As Memorial Day weekend kicked off, hundreds of people gathered at the Camp Nelson National Cemetery, not to celebrate the beginning of summer, but to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to the nation.

More than 250 people showed up on Saturday, placing flags on the gravestones of nearly 17,000 veterans interred at the cemetery. Among the attendees were numerous children, brought along to learn about gratitude, sacrifice, and the price of freedom.

Creating an Atmosphere of Gratitude and Remembrance

Local Baseball Coach, Derek Ricketts, spoke on the significance of the event. “I think just coming out here willing to sacrifice their day to come out here and do this for those people that sacrifice for us, it’s a small thing, but at the end of the day, I think it means a lot,” he said.

Ricketts’ team, the Georgetown Mavericks, were among the attendees. The coach emphasized how events like these help create a more conscious and appreciative generation. “We’re trying to make good young men that understand what it means to sacrifice. And what better examples of sacrifice than the veterans who did it for our country,” he added.

A Personal Connection

Among the crowd were two young boys, Xain and Ryker Tipton, who have a personal connection to the cemetery. “Our grandma and our grandpa both served in Vietnam and are now buried here,” revealed Xain. As the brothers placed flags in front of their grandparents’ headstones, they expressed their happiness about the other kids participating in this tradition. “It means that they care about them and they’re happy they served for us, and that they’re thankful for it,” Xain said.

Memorial Day Ceremony

Aside from the flag-laying community event, the Camp Nelson National Cemetery will also be hosting a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday to honor those military members who paid the ultimate price. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at 11:00 a.m., but attendees are encouraged to arrive by 10:00 to comfortably settle in.

This touching tribute reminds us of the true meaning of Memorial Day – a time to pause, remember, and thank those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. With every flag placed, the community of Jessamine County shared their gratitude for each individual who served their duty to the nation, aligning us to remember them in our celebrations.