Robert Watkins and Gisela Bell thought they would be the only ones at their family member's funeral. Then, the dozens showed up to honor Richard Watkins.

Mary Hoff was instrumental in the creation of the iconic POW/MIA flag. United States. Her husband's plane was shot down in 1970. He is still missing in action.

Friday is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. It is a day to remember Americans who were prisoners of war and those who served and never returned home. Events are planned around our area over the next two days to honor them.

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Engineer Ian M. Church was laid to rest Friday.

Hundreds of people across the region answered a call to help lay a local veteran with no known family to rest.

It was a somber day at Jacksonville’s National Cemetery as hundreds of people laid wreaths and said prayers for the brave service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

The Jacksonville National Cemetery held its traditional “Memorial Day Observance “ ceremony Saturday morning to remember those who died while fighting for our country.

Volunteers are needed Thursday to help place thousands of flags on graves at Jacksonville National Cemetery.

The Jacksonville Ladies volunteer to decorate more than 22,000 headstones at Jacksonville National Cemetery, making sure no veteran is buried alone.

A brand new fire station opened its doors on the Northside Thursday morning, filling a major gap in the area.

The Jacksonville National Cemetery hosted its annual ceremony to commend many for their courage and sacrifice in the Vietnam War.

Thousands of people honored those who are laid to rest at the Jacksonville National Cemetery on Saturday morning at the Wreaths Across America event.

Jacksonville National Cemetery host Memorial Day Ceremony

An emotional service Saturday featured music and 22,000 flags that had been placed at 22,000 gravesites to honor the 22,000 heroes who served the nation and are now buried at Jacksonville National Cemetery.

American flags are now in place at every gravesite within the Jacksonville National Cemetery -- all 22,000 of them.

15,500 wreaths were laid at headstones at Jacksonville National Cemetery.

Wreaths Across America Jacksonville needs help paying tribute to local veterans and service members this holiday season. With

For Wreaths Across America at Jacksonville National Cemetery, that means time is quickly running out for the nonprofit to reach its goal of laying 13,500 wreaths at the headstones of fallen veterans. The laying of the wreaths at the Jacksonville National Cemetery is one of the most touching events of the year. “Every American knows a veteran in some way, shape or form,” Featheringill said. You can do it from the comfort of your own home.”Giving a little to honor those who gave so much. To learn more about upcoming Wreaths Across America at Jacksonville National Cemetery fundraising events, they are posted on the chapter’s Facebook page.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Every year, thousands head out to the Jacksonville National Cemetery and lay wreaths at the headstones of fallen heroes. Kellina Featheringill, location coordinator for Wreaths Across America at Jacksonville National Cemetery, loves sharing the organizations mission with the public. Inside Wreaths Across America's mobile exhibit. (Wreaths Across America)This comes at a time when Wreaths Across America at Jacksonville National Cemetery is in need of help. People can donate online to help Wreaths Across America at Jacksonville National Cemetery meet its financial goals for the year.

Among the places people paid their respects locally was the Jacksonville National Cemetery. “It’s in everybody’s heart, it’s no different, you just do it a different way,” explained Michael Smith, a member of the support committee at Jacksonville National Cemetery. It still has the same meaning, it’s just done a different way," said Smith, who was honoring Staff Sgt. At just 29-years-old, Dahlke is the first KIA to be buried when Jacksonville National Cemetery opened that same year. “There’s things in life that change your life, and this man right here, what he did for our nation, changed my life,” Smith said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The city of Jacksonville is holding a virtual Memorial Day observance this year because of the coronavirus. The annual memorial day observance will also be held at the National Cemetery, but it too will be different because of COVID-19. At the Jacksonville National Cemetery, remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice carries on. He says due to virus precautions, the Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony will be, at most, 10 minutes long. The pilots will then fly across the Jacksonville National Cemetery, before heading to the memorial wall in downtown Jacksonville.

This year, volunteers with "Wreaths Across America," hope to lay holiday wreaths at 12,000 gravestones at Jacksonville National Cemetery, but they need your help to meet that goal. The goal is to have the wreaths ready by Dec. 14. The Jacksonville National Cemetery is arguably one of the most peaceful places in the city. Willen is retired a retired Navy commander, and will soon take over responsibilities with Wreaths Across America Jacksonville. Michael Smith is the location coordinator for Wreaths Across America Jacksonville.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Baker County Board of County Commissioners has invited the public to attend the funeral of an Army veteran with no next of kin, emergency contacts or living relatives. He was cremated through the Baker County Indigent Cremation Program, which provides services of those who can't afford them. Working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Jacksonville National Cemetery, county staff and others are making sure that Allevato will finally receive the resting place he deserves. You can give thanks to this veteran by attending his funeral on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. The Baker County Veterans Council will provide services.