Dedicated to those who served

SARASOTA — Nearly 1,000 people gathered for this year’s flag placement at Sarasota National Cemetery, volunteering their Saturday to honor the 23,000 fallen military members and their sacrifice.

Headed by the Family and Friends Sarasota Cemetery National Inc., the annual event involves placing an American flag in front of each monument, reading the name of the veteran and thanking them for their service.

Each person, from Cub Scout troop members to motorcycle club groups, participated in the flag placement event, making their way through each row and section.

The Imagine School Young Marines traveled from North Port to also pay their respects, with more than 30 students choosing to continue the group’s decade-old tradition.

Retired U.S. Army Col. Richard Borkowski, leader of Young Marines, said the flag event allows his students the opportunity to learn more about those that went before them.

For some students, that means visiting a loved one.

“A lot of these Young Marines have ancestors that are here, so we give them the honor and privilege of placing a flag upon their headstone,” Borkowski said.

Teagan Treadway, a lance corporeal for Young Marines, was accompanied by Borkowski to visit her great-grandfather’s grave.

After a moment of silence, reflection and a salute, Treadway shared how her ancestor’s sacrifice has inspired her own path of service.

“It’s really important to me to honor people that have put down their lives to defend our country,” she said. “This place, even though it’s very somber, is still a good symbol of how much they sacrifice for our country and what got us to where we are today.”

Other groups present were there to simply pay their respects and raise awareness in the next generation.

Bradenton Cub Scouts Pack 76 Cub Master Charles Catob said the group regularly dedicates its time and resources to supporting troops as a way to educate its kids about the military through community service.

In addition to putting together Christmas stockings, cards and popcorn fundraisers for troops, he said participating in flag placement helps younger children understand who they are helping.

“We do this to show them what people do in the military, what is good leadership, respect, ethics and hope that those qualities raise them well,” Catob said.

The flag placement was followed by a remembrance event honoring Gold Star families, a term created to represent the immediate family of a U.S. armed forces member who died in combat or while supporting military activities.

Many took turns sharing talking about the life of their loved one, some stories emitting laughs from the audience, others a more somber reflection of their dedication to the end.

Regardless the speech, each person spoke the name of their fallen veteran to honor Memorial Day’s tradition.

Among those to speak was Roberta Brockway, mother to Army combat medic Christopher Brockway, who died of an illness after serving a tour of duty in Korea.

Brockway shared the dedicated spirit that Christopher Brockway never let go until his death in 2011. Once finished, she asked the public to not only remember those who gave their life for their country as a military member, but also for who they were as brothers, sons, daughters and mothers.

“Memorial Day is everyday for these Gold Star families,” she said. “If you remember anything about him, remember this: Chris never gave up, and we won’t either.”

Meshia Richardson, director of Family and Friends Sarasota Cemetery National Inc., said Saturday’s events teach the value of freedom and the importance of community reflection and service.

“We may not know them all, but we owe them all,” Richardson said.