LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Wednesday, volunteers gathered at the Little Rock National Cemetery for the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
They picked up trash and cleaned the headstones of fallen heroes at the cemetery, which was first used to bury Union soldiers in 1866.
Two years later, it became a national cemetery, serving as the final resting place for service members and their loved ones for several generations.
"These are hallowed grounds,” Cemetery Foreman John Barnett said. “These are heroes buried here."
That's why people like Sarah Meeks gathered on Wednesday to remember heroes from 9/11 and other days of loss in American history.
"My father and several uncles are veterans,” Meeks said. “My dad was in the Marine Corps, so I think it's really important for us to remember."
And not just remember, but also give back.
Carry the Load, a nonprofit, and the National Cemetery Administration sponsored the event as volunteers spent the morning beautifying the cemetery.
Maybelline Redix from North Little Rock said when she remembers the sacrifices made on 9/11, spending a morning cleaning graves doesn't seem all that bad.
"Individuals took the time to help us all out,” Redix said. "I think it's very important that we take the time to give them the treatment they gave us. They’re so deserving."
Barnett said he remembers well the uncertainty and tragedy of that day 23 years ago.
He also served in the National Guard, so for him, service like this means just a little more.
"To me, it's personal,” Barnett said. “I remember it. I served afterward, and it does hit home for a lot of folks."
He said that this was the second year the cemetery has hosted this event, and added that as long as there are heroes to be remembered, he expects it to continue in future years.
"Heroes don't have to wear capes and they don't have to win medals,” Barnett said. “Everybody that served, served in their capacity and did what they're asked to do. That's why we honor them."
This cleanup wasn’t the only one happening Wednesday. Carry the Load sponsored 67 similar events at cemeteries nationwide.