Hundreds come to Rock Island National Cemetery to honor Memorial Day
Hundreds of Quad Cities residents filled the Rock Island National Cemetery on Monday morning to thank hundreds more.
'It's just a phenomenal opportunity, and an amazing time to just sit and hear those (veterans') stories,' said Col. Joe Parker, Rock Island Arsenal's garrison commander.
The annual Memorial Day ceremony gave a chance for Quad Cities residents to offer thanks to the men and women who fought for our daily freedom.
'It's giving something larger than yourself,' Parker said. 'There's sacrifice in service, there's sacrifice in giving back your nation, your community. I look at sacrifice as giving back to our nation that has given so much to us.'
Parker said Memorial Day honors ordinary people who did extraordinary things for this country.
'The headstones here are tributes to those who have given so much and sacrificed over the years,' Parker said. 'We wouldn't be here without those sacrifices, and that continued sacrifice year after year for those who continue to volunteer and raise their right hand and serve this nation.'
'Freedom isn't free, and we work hard for it,' said Roald Zvonik, a World War II veteran. 'I appreciate it, and the people that are currently in the Army. I get to sleep better because I know my freedom is going to be there in the morning.'
Parker added the Memorial Day ceremony reminds people to never forget the legacy of the men and women who did not make it back home.
'We all stand on the shoulders of giants,' Parker said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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