A few rows away from James Hessel's grave, George Rodriguez kneels before the grave of his wife Katherine. George, a Desert Storm veteran, married Katherine while the two were still teenagers. He shipped out to the Persian Gulf with her still pregnant with their daughter. In those days before email, Katherine wrote him letters every day. George came home, and they raised two children and were proud grandparents of three grandchildren. In March 2020, as the world succumbed to COVID-19, Katherine succumbed to cancer at age 49. George had to forego the large funeral he had planned, but spent day after day by her grave. “I was the one who went away to war, but she was a Navy wife,” George said. “She endured. Now she rests among those who died for this country. It's a great honor, and one day I'll join her here.”

People wander the headstones at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

Tom Barwinski, left, his wife Lorie and their daughter Emma view Tom's parents' headstone at Fort Logan. "There are so many hidden life stories here," Emma said. "Behind each name is a life, compressed into just a few lines."

VFW member Jack Woodman passes out memorial poppies at Littleton's World War II memorial.

World War II veteran Charles Goodwin watches the Memorial Day ceremony. Read Goodwin's story here: https://littletonindependent.net/stories/my-name-is-charles-goodwin,316270

Retired Marine Col. Richard Swedberg recognizes fellow veterans.

Elizabeth Marzonie, left, backed by her husband Jim, affixes poppies to the flagpole at the World War II memorial.

Steve Valdez, left, and Joe Leber of VFW Post #4666 observe the Memorial Day ceremony.

Jack Woodman plays taps.

A 21-gun salute cracked through the chilly morning.

The pipers of the El Jebel Shrine play Amazing Grace.