As people all over the country pay tribute to the nation’s fallen servicemembers this Memorial Day weekend, one organization gathered on Sunday at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery to make sure people who couldn’t make the trip themselves still had their loved ones honored.

Roughly 80 volunteers helped the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) place a black token at 45 graves throughout the cemetery. The token features the name of the organization’s annual event, #TheHonorProject, that first started with a Facebook post in 2021.

“That one Facebook post has now turned into 3,000 volunteers across the country at 78 cemeteries this year,” said Angelica Borowski, the Manager of Programming for TMF’s West Division.

Retired U.S. Marine Sam Neuhauser was among the volunteers paying tribute and reflecting on fallen servicemembers who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

“Just taking the time—very intentfully and purposefully—one day out of the year, at least if not more, to just continue their legacy and share the story of who they were and what they meant to you,” said Neuhauser.

Neuhauser spent roughly four years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He previously worked for TMF in an official capacity before later returning as a volunteer. His work with the foundation ranges from assisting Gold Star Families to helping mentor and coach youth sports.

“For me that’s my way of giving back,” said Neuhauser.

As Neuhauser visited the grave of a fallen servicemember, as he has done every year, he reflected on the meaning and importance of Memorial Day.

“Being able to visit everyone here just kind of reminds you that you have a little bit more life to live, and a lot more to give,” he said. “I have friends that are not buried here that are buried all over the country, so to know that they too are also being visited. It’s just the concept to know that if you can’t be there, then someone else is there,” Neuhauser added.

The Travis Manion Foundation is a national organization founded in 2007. It is named in honor of U.S. Marine Corps First Lieutenant Travis Manion, who was killed in Iraq while saving his wounded teammates.

The organization says it is always looking for additional volunteers. If you would like to get involved, you’re asked to visit their website.