DIXON, Calif — Memorial Day is a day for remembering our fallen heroes, and on Monday, thousands will show up at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon to do just that.
Lori Gillis visits the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery to honor her nephew not just every Memorial Day, but sometimes, twice a month. Her nephew, Sgt. Shawn Adams, a native to Dixon, was killed in Iraq back in 2007.
"He was the one in the Army that booted in the doors," Gillis explained. "He was a Ranger, so it was tough. He was very young, but he wanted to be there, so I admire him for that."
Adams was one of the first killed in Iraq to be buried in this national cemetery, which opened only a year before. Now, more than 33,000 flags are planted across the property — one at every headstone.
PHOTOS: Memorial Day at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery
Frank Romo, the President of the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery Support Committee, understands the importance of national cemeteries to veterans. Romo is an Air Force Veteran whose brother and brother-in-law are buried at the cemetery, too.
"Veterans are a small community but there's millions of us, and we have a brotherhood and a family-hood of giving part of our lives to serve our country," he said.
He serves on the cemetery's support committee, overseeing a Memorial Day ceremony. According to Romo, they're expecting more than 5,000 people to show up for the event.
"We want them to come here and know that their family member is not forgotten and that we hold them high in our hearts and that they always have a place of honor and respect," Romo said.
Memorial Day represents many things for different people. But for Gillis, the day is meant to be a reminder of what this day is really about.
"It isn't about a party or none of that but it's about thinking of not just him but everyone and all of the families that are in the same boat as we are," Gillis said.
Monday's ceremony to honor fallen heroes is open to the public and the event begins at 9 a.m. The Sacramento Valley National Cemetery is at 5810 Midway Road in Dixon.
For a full list of Memorial Day events across the area, click here.
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