SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) – On Thursday, over 40 volunteers came out to the Sarasota National Cemetery to honor the 24th anniversary of the lives lost during September 11th, 2001, with a cleaning of the graves and headstones.
This beautification project takes place at over 70 cemeteries across the country in a nationwide event. Volunteers replace flowers, clean off headstones, and tidy up grass around the graveyard out of respect for those who lost their lives during that tragic day 24 years ago, and to remember other loved ones who are buried there with an act of gratitude.
“We moved from New Jersey, so we were very close to all of the happenings of the day. Another inspiration would be my mother. We recently lost my mother, who was a registered nurse; we lost her in March. I’ve done community service as far as something for first responders, so just being able to live life to the fullest and get out here and be appreciative of what others have done for us,” Susan Anderson, a volunteer at the event, said.
This tradition has been going on every year since 2001, and sees more volunteers every year…