Thousands of American flags are being placed on graves at the Jacksonville National Cemetery to honor fallen members of the armed forces. The headstones are in formation marking the final resting places for men and women who served in the U.S. armed forces.

According to official records.  The cemetery near the northern border of Duval County grows by nearly 50 new gravesites each week, adding to the 12,500 veterans who have been buried there since the first burial in 2009. Every year, people from all over our area head to the cemetery on the Northside and plant flags at each and grave to make sure the fallen aren't forgotten.

Volunteers do this every year for Memorial Day and then again at Christmas, when they place wreaths at every headstone. There is a group of volunteers called the Jacksonville Ladies who have been there from the start. They offer condolences to loved ones when they are present and stand as silent witnesses to honor the deceased when no one else is there.

The “Jacksonville Ladies” started meeting in November 2008 and were present for the first interments that began on January 7, 2009. This non-profit Volunteer program shadows the Arlington Ladies, a Volunteer group of military wives and lady Veterans at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, whose service began in 1948 by the wife of Air Force Chief of Staff General Hoyt Vandenberg.

Membership in The Jacksonville Ladies is strictly voluntary and is open to all ladies  who have a sincere desire to pay final tribute to our Veterans. They attend all services being there for those who have no family or friends present. The groups chairwoman Veronica Potter said that 25 dedicated women make up the group and that they would like to have at least 10 more members.

Yesterday, over 100 people were at the cemetery and placed American flags at each grave. On Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., they will return to remove each flag. The cemetery is located north of the Jacksonville International Airport and is approximately nine miles from I-295 at 4083 Lannie Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218.