People from all over Nevada and California spent part of Memorial Day at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley. The annual ceremony is a reminder of the men and women who died for their country.Â
Richard Snyder served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War. He says this holiday has special meaning to him.
"I was not able to attend the funerals of my friends that died, my brothers that are on the wall," Snyder said. "I come because now is my time to honor them."
The large crowd included active service members, veterans and civilians, including young children.
"It's nice that they're sharing with the new generation what the older generation did and the meaning of what today is," Rick Whitehurst, U.S. Army veteran said. "A lot of kids really don't know the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day."
Memorial Day means something different to different people. Some did not serve, but still have a personal story about the cost of war.
"I have ten of my friends over here on the Vietnam Wall," Ken Dallimore, Wadsworth resident said. "I got a cousin over here and another cousin over here. It's just out of respect."
He is not alone when it comes to family and friends who's final resting place is at the veterans cemetery. Many people attend the annual ceremony, then visit the graves of loved ones. Officials say more than 10,000 veterans are buried there, and 8,700 graves are marked with an American flag. One of those belongs to Private Donald Berry, who served in the Army during the Korean War. His widow and daughter left a red, white and blue bouquet of flowers at his headstone.
"I really certainly miss my husband," Louise Berry, Donald's widow said. "He's been gone six years now. It's tough."
Berry says Memorial Day takes on a different meaning now that her husband is gone.
"It means a great deal to me because he is here, along with millions more across the country that have provided our freedom for us," Berry said.
Several local and state leaders also attended the ceremony, including Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen. Governor Steve Sisolak was one of the keynote speakers.
"You think about how much the ultimate sacrifice folks make to keep our country free," Sisolak, D-Nevada said. "Freedom doesn't come free and they gave everything. Their families gave everything. They've lost lives. They've sacrificed so much."
