DefenseLink Feature: Comrades, Loved Ones Provide Reminders of Memorial Day's Meaning

Carolyn and Keith Maupin fight back tears during a memorial service honoring their fallen son, Army Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin, at the Army Reserve Command headquarters at Fort McPherson, Ga., May 22, 2008. Photo by Timothy L. Hale

Army honor guard soldiers hold 12 folded American flags during an interment ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Oct. 12, 2007, for 12 soldiers killed in Iraq 10 months ago. The soldiers, 10 from the Army National Guard and two from the active-duty Army, were killed northeast of Baghdad when their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was shot down. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mary Flynn

A mass grave marker at Arlington National Cemetery honors the 12 soldiers killed when their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was shot down near Baghdad on Jan. 20, 2007. Courtesy photo

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Rafael Barney pays tribute to a memorial to his friend, Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jimmy Arroyave, who was killed in Iraq. Courtesy photo

Wesley and Peggy Bushnell stand beside the riderless horse that honored their son, Sgt. William Bushnell, during El Paso, Texas’ homecoming parade for 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Feb. 27, 2008. Wesley Bushnell walked with the horse during the parade as a tribute to his son, who was killed in Iraq. Photo by Donna Miles

Army 1st Lt. Brent Pounders

Army 1st Lt. Brent Pounders remembers his childhood, reading textbooks about patriots who have sacrificed their lives through the country’s history and thinking of Memorial Day as the end of the school year. Profile

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Rafael Barney

As they were deploying to Iraq from March Air Force Base, Calif., Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Rafael Barney formed a fast friendship with Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jimmy Arroyave. Profile

Wesley and Peggy Bushnell

Just over a year after losing their 24-year-old son in Iraq, Wesley and Peggy Bushnell plan a weekend of activity honoring his memory. Profile

Carolyn and Keith Maupin

For the past four Memorial Days, Carolyn and Keith Maupin of Batavia, Ohio, didn’t know if their Army Reserve son was dead or alive. Profile

Air Force Maj. Frances Robertson

While others attend Memorial Day commemorations in the coming days, Air Force Maj. Frances Robertson plans to stay away, saying they still bring up too many painful memories. Profile