Hundreds Honor Veterans at National Cemetery

This Memorial Day, many made the trip to the National Cemetery in Chattanooga for the annual service.  It started at 11 at the Armed Forces Pavillion.  Local elected officials were there, along with keynote speaker Congressman Zach Wamp.  Every branch of the military was honored at the services.   

We found several at the cemetery remembering loved ones.  Katie Johnson is 72 years old, but still makes the now difficult trip up her husband Homer's grave in a wheelchair.  Johnson says, "My husband went to be with the Lord in 1996, I was a Navy bride for the first three and a half years."

And for the last 13 years, Katie has brought flowers to the grave, remembering one of many on this Memorial Day who was willing to fight for our country.  Johnson remembers, "He actually prayed that he would get to go to Korea and get to actually fight during that war and I prayed that he wouldn't because I wanted him close to me."

Monday hundreds close to others who served in every aspect of the armed forces gathered at the National Cemetery to take a few moments to honor many men and women.

Rick Fine served as a sniper in the Army.  He says, "It's gives you a warm feeling to know somebody cares enough about somebody else to go give their life for someone they don't know."

Fine knows that sacrifice well, and tears up as he kneels down to remember his father.  "My father like I said was my best friend, he served 4 tours in Vietnam, he was a sniper so I followed in his footsteps."

Footsteps that took both father and son overseas, steps of sacrifice that were honored this Memorial Day.  "It makes me proud, proud to be an american and proud of what he done, and everybody else."