Honoring Heroes: Families remember loved ones at Floral Haven Cemetery on Memorial Day

Each year, Floral Haven holds a powerful Memorial Day ceremony, including a reading of the names of veterans who passed away in the past year. Visitors walk through rows of graves decorated with flowers and flags — each one a tribute to a life remembered.

A Family Tradition Carried Forward

Courtney Cunningham, along with her sister Ashlynn and Ashlynn’s boyfriend, visited several relatives’ graves this year, including that of her grandmother, Patricia Miller, who passed away in December.

Patricia’s husband is a Vietnam War veteran, and although he is still living, Patricia was buried in the military section, a reflection of the life they shared.

“My grandma used to do it all the time for all of her family members,” Courtney said. “But since she passed away, we took over the tradition,” Cunningham said.

For the Cunningham family, continuing that tradition is about more than a visit — it's about honoring a legacy of care and togetherness.

“I think she would be really proud of us,” Cunningham said, “She said before she passed away, we made a documentary about her… she always wanted us to be inclusive with our family and take on what she would want to do.”

Flags of Honor and Family Pride

Each flag at Floral Haven carries the name of a fallen soldier, a small but powerful reminder of the sacrifices made. For Wayne Parker Jr., the sight of those flags stirs pride and reflection.

Wayne comes from a family deeply rooted in military service; his father, brother, aunts, and uncles all served.

“Pride in the United States, pride in the military, and pride in our family that they were courageous enough to serve their country,” Parker said.

A Place of Peace and Prayer

For Wayne’s wife, Linda Parker, the cemetery is more than a resting place, it’s a place of connection and reflection.

“I know everybody doesn’t get that same peaceful celebration of being in a cemetery,” Parker said, “but for me it is a place of beauty, a place of prayer, and someplace that I do enjoy coming.”

A Day to Reflect and Remember

The families who gathered at Floral Haven on Memorial Day hope others will take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday, to remember the lives lost, the families left behind, and the freedoms secured by their sacrifice.