The temperature was already approaching 100 degrees late Saturday morning as volunteers spread across the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, raking gravel, picking up trash, and washing headstones beneath the Valley sun.
Among them was Julia, a Phoenix resident, sweeping windblown pebbles and desert dust from countless headstones exposed to the elements. The work was simple and methodical, but for Julia, who asked that her last name not be published, mourning the recent passing of her military veteran father-in-law, the day carried a deeply personal weight.
“Oh, my gosh. Just here to honor them,” she said, becoming more emotional with each word as she talked about being at the cemetery and honoring those who had served. “I just thought it was neat to honor them.”
