While Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living Veterans for their service to the country, many people make it a point to stop by the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery to honor veterans who have passed away.
Large crowds visited despite the cancellation of a Veterans Day event at the cemetery amid the government shutdown.
Visitors included friends and families whose loved ones served in the Armed Forces.
Veterans themselves also saw fit to stop by to pay their respects.
“I served in Vietnam. This is my first time in this cemetery,” said Army Veteran Dan Davis of Royce City. “I have an uncle and an aunt buried here and I just got an approval letter saying that when I passed, I would be buried here, as well as my wife, Sharon.”
Davis served in the Vietnam War.
“I’m so proud of him,” said wife Sharon.
Davis was awarded the Bronze Star, though it is still (understandably so), difficult for him to talk about the experience.
“You know, I did my job. That’s all I want to say,” he said.
U.S. Navy Veterans and lifelong friends Mike Marble and Bob Parker of Grand Prairie visited their friend Howard Broadaway’s gravesite along with his widow.
“I stop by to visit Howard and we got some other friends out here,” said an affable Parker. “As time marches on, my list is getting longer, unfortunately.”
When asked what Veterans Day means to him, Davis said, “It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the service, but I have many memories. Some good, some bad. I love America and I want to see America survive for many years to come, but sometimes I wonder if it will.”
This year, Veterans Day commemorations at the cemetery were affected by the government shutdown.
The Texas National Cemetery Foundation canceled Tuesday’s elaborate ceremony, posting online that they were unable to secure resources and staff because of the federal impasse.
It is something Erlinda McGuire-Rios of Fort Worth is deeply disappointed about.
Her son, U.S. Army Specialist Juan M. Rios, is buried in the national cemetery.
“These people here, all of these, they deserve that they deserve the ceremony and because of the ridiculous things going on, things like this is canceled,” she said. “And, I am, I’m sorry. I’m very patriotic. I love our country, but I’m embarrassed, honestly.”
Tom Damura of Arlington wasn’t about to let the failures of Congress stop him from scrounging up his own humble tribute.
“I told the director here I said if it’s just me, so be it,” said Damura. “Now, we didn’t do anything as grand as a flyover and 21-gun salute… I started out with flags and a few flowers and this gentleman behind me, he became the trumpeter.. It’s just right. It’s what it’s supposed to be.”