A Jacksonville nonprofit has attended every burial at Jacksonville National Cemetery since 2009, making sure no veteran is ever laid to rest alone.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Rain or shine, heat or cold, two women show up 20 days out of the month at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, and they have since the day it opened.
They are the Jacksonville Ladies, a nonprofit group of about 45 women dedicated to one promise:
“That no veteran will ever be buried alone at Jacksonville National Cemetery, and we are here to support the families as they lay their loved ones to rest,” said Lynda Edell, chairwoman of the Jacksonville Ladies.
The group was organized in 2008, the same year the Jacksonville National Cemetery was dedicated. Since then, members have attended every single burial service held there, with one exception.
“If you look out at the cemetery at all those headstones, there’s been a Jacksonville Lady at every single service with the exception of COVID, when we had to go on hiatus for a year and a half,” Edell said.
On days when no family members show up, the Jacksonville Ladies still do. A member will deliver a condolences speech and present a card to whoever is present.
“On behalf of the Jacksonville Ladies and our Jacksonville community, we want you to know how much we appreciate your loved ones’ service to our country. And we thank you and your family for your service as well,” Edell said.
The organization runs entirely on donations.
For Edell, who has been honoring veterans since the holiday was still called Decoration Day, laying poppies at grave sites long before joining the group, the work is personal.
“It’s a heartwarming feeling to be able to do this for them,” she said. “They gave their lives for us, for my freedom that I have every day. I’m honored to be able to do this for them.”
Those interested in joining the Jacksonville Ladies can apply through their website.