A First for West Michigan

Volunteers walked row by row through Georgetown Cemetery on Memorial Day, placing hand-crafted tokens at the headstones of fallen service members and saying each name out loud.

It was the first time the Travis Manion Foundation's "Honor Project" had ever been held in West Michigan, according to Katie Glynn, the West Michigan chapter lead for the foundation.

"We know that we die twice when you take your last breath, but then when no one says your name anymore," Glynn said.

Organizers said the project is designed to remind people that every name at the cemetery represents a life, a family, and a story. Through the Honor Project, approximately 3,000 volunteers honored more than 10,000 fallen heroes in at least 75 cemeteries across the country, according to WOODTV.

A Family's Loss and a Foundation's Help

For Michael Gwasdacus, the day carried deep personal meaning.

His nephew, Lieutenant Christopher Moskow, was killed in Afghanistan 14 years ago. Every Memorial Day serves as a reminder of the sacrifice his family continues to carry.

"They deserve at least one day that you can actually give back to them, because they gave so much for us," Gwasdacus said.

Gwasdacus told FOX 17 that finding the Travis Manion Foundation helped his family navigate grief after losing Christopher.

"We ran across this organization, the Travis Manion Foundation, and they honestly saved my sister and brother-in-law's life," he said.

The Next Generation Remembers

Grace Glynn, 14, has volunteered with the organization for most of her life. She said events like this help younger generations better understand the sacrifices made for their freedoms.

"Remembering everyone who has served and who has fought for the freedom of our country, they truly have given their lives up for a cause," Grace Glynn said.

She said even small gestures, like placing a token at a gravesite, can carry a powerful message.

"Putting the tokens on their gravestones shows that we're remembering them… and that they don't deserve to be forgotten," she said.

More Than a Holiday

Courtney Peden, the Commander of the Kent County Veteran's Honor Guard, attended the event and reflected on what the day means for veterans who came home.

"It just really makes you grateful and cherish that you came home," Peden told News 8. "You think about all the friends and the brothers and sisters and moms that we left behind and the heaviness and what today really means for us is that we remember these people and that they did not die in vain for our country."

Katie Glynn said the event was meant to shift the focus away from the typical Memorial Day celebrations.

"It's not about how much candy you got from the parade earlier today, or how many burgers and hot dogs you can put down later tonight," Glynn said. "It's about a moment of reflection and understanding, this is what Memorial Day is about."

The Georgetown Cemetery event took place on Monday, May 25, in Georgetown Township, which borders Grandville and Jenison in southwestern Kent County.