As part of a yearly Memorial Day tradition, flags are placed at graves of veterans as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by military servicemembers.  

For volunteer Kayla Gardner, it's about showing gratitude to her grandparents.

“I feel like this is a major sacrifice and an honor,” she said. So, to me, I thought it was a good cause. All of my grandparents have fought in the wars. And they have their own town that has monuments and things. So I think it's nice for the families to be recognized for that sacrifice.”

Gardner joins the dozens of volunteers placing American flags for servicemembers who are laid to rest at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Rochester — 6,000 flags for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  

For Gina Ruscitto, it's the ultimate thank you.

“I lived through the Vietnam era when I was young, and people did not respect those soldiers, sailors, Marines, Air Force when they came home,” said Ruscitto. “This is a way to remember people to make up for that horrible, horrible time.”

While Andrew Bathrick is amazed with the generational gap.

“I like reading the graves and seeing how vastly different in time they're from,” he said. “Like, there were some in the 1800s and I think this one is like the 1900s.”

He says it was important to honor those before him, all while honoring his own brother, who tagged along to place flags.

“This is my brother, and he was actually in the U.S. Marine Corps,” said Bathrick. “So to work alongside a fellow veteran, you see an opinion from someone who has had similar experience to these men and women.” 

In just two hours, a sea of American flags blanketed the area.

For Robert Contestabile, chair of the Veterans Network, and a veteran himself, facilitating this event has been one of the most emotional, but also the most rewarding, experiences.

“When the family members come to the cemetery to see their service members, this is what I want them to see,” he said. “All these beautiful flags waving in the wind. This is just a beautiful, beautiful sight to behold, and I couldn't be more proud and honored to put this together.”

So those who weren’t alive back then will understand what makes up the fabric of our history.