TAMPA, Fla. — On this Memorial Day, Tampa’s American Legion is reminding the community that the day isn’t a celebration but, rather, a time to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
It’s a tradition that dates back more than a century for American Legion U.S.S. Tampa Post 5. A total of 734 flags were placed at the graves of 734 Hillsborough County veterans from the Spanish-American War and every conflict since.
“I lost brothers and sisters in arms, and I made it out. So this is one act that I can do that pays homage back to them, shows respect,” said Sean Lawrence, 23-year Air Force veteran.
Lawrence says, on this solemn day, there’s nothing better he can do than honor the fallen.
“When people come out and do this, it’s significant [because] they are thankful for what these men and women gave up so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have today,” Lawrence said.
One hundred and four years ago, a homeless World War I veteran was set to be buried in a pauper’s grave. Knowing that couldn’t be the end of that soldier’s story, American Legion Post 5 created the only legion cemetery in the world.
It has, unfortunately, grown ever since, says legion volunteer Alyse Duffy.
“We say, ‘Thank you for your service,’ but we really don’t know how they’ve struggled, how they’ve sacrificed, what they’ve had to endure,” said Duffy.
It’s a sentiment echoed by Brigadier General Jimmy Blejski of U.S. Special Operations Command.
“Today, we remember them not as distant figures in history, but as people, as individuals whose lives mattered,” Blejski said. “Just look at the amount of people that came today, take time out of a very hot and humid day, spend time in the sun, even if it was just for an hour, to reflect, with their fellow community members on this very special day.”
On this, and every, Memorial Day, Lawrence remembers his fellow servicemen who didn’t make it home, knowing they gave their lives for us and our freedom.
“There’s over 700 graves here, and we got it done in less than 30 minutes, that’s major,” said Lawrence.