FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. - The roots of Memorial Day reach back to the days after the Civil War.
For this Memorial Day -- Nine On Your Side visited a military cemetery that dates back nearly that far.
Fort Huchuaca's burial ground dates to the founding of the post more than 140 years ago.
The Color Guard brought the flags of the four largest services the United States flag to honor the many who fought and died for that flag.
Fort Huachuca Commander, Major General Robert Walters remembered sacrifices of soldiers from the Revolution to Afghanistan.
"And as we remember, let us be grateful for everyone who made the ultimate sacrifice for what our country truly believes in: Freedom."
This ceremony gave a veteran an honor long denied. The widow of Army Corporal Louis Moran received his Purple Heart medal. He earned it for combat wounds in the Korean War but documentation required for the medal was lost.
Of receiving the medal Lucia Moran said, “It happened and I still don't believe it because we waited for such a long time for something like this."
Lucia Moran says their children and grandchildren served in the Army, Navy and Air Force. Granddaughter, Air Force Major Katy Tenpenny worked for many years to track down lost records that confirmed the medals.
"He went and served his country and ended up getting injured as a result of it and I just felt like it was something that needed to be done so I wasn't gonna let all the obstacles that stand in the way tell me no."
Now as the Memorial Day remembrance ends, service people and their families hope their sacrifices will be remembered year round.
