Community maintains Veterans Day tradition at Riverside National Cemetery despite shutdown

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) -- An annual tradition at the Riverside National Cemetery still happened on Tuesday, thanks to the help of volunteers.

At the pavilion overlooking the Riverside National Cemetery, songs and poetry paid heartfelt tribute on Veterans Day.

The annual ceremony that normally draws hundreds was canceled due to the government shutdown, but for Chy'Anne Smock and her family, that didn't stop them from honoring those laid to rest there.

"We were very disappointed that the Flag for Every Hero was canceled," Smock said. "And we were really looking forward to placing the flags again for this year."

Every year, a sea of red, white and blue flags covers the cemetery in a small act of remembrance. The government shutdown forced the cancellation of this year's ceremony, yet the community still showed up, determined to do what they could to honor veterans everywhere.

The cemetery is managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is impacted by the shutdown.

"It is an awesome feeling to have so many patriotic families and community members that have come out to try to rise to the occasion to honor those that have departed," Cinderella McGrath-Smock said. "They deserve everything from us."

Normally, hundreds of volunteers, Boy Scouts and veterans' families cover all 900 acres in flags, reaching nearly a quarter-million graves. But, with staffing furloughs and federal restrictions, some sections were left mostly bare.

"This decision was not made lightly; it comes after careful consideration of the significant staffing reductions and various logistical challenges we are facing, including limited access to facilities, trash management and traffic control," Laura Herzog, founder of Honoring Our Fallen, which organizes the event, said in a statement.

"It is disheartening. It makes me want to cry to see that," Angie Ponce said. "I think I saw it on ABC7 or some news post, and saw there was a need. So, we texted a few people, posted on Instagram to gather as many flags as we can. We got about 400 to 500 flags and came out right at 8 a.m. to teach the kids to honor the Veterans."

For families with loved ones at the cemetery, the community-led ceremony and the flags they placed meant everything.

"It is very heartwarming to come and see all the flags and honor everybody that did serve our country," Joyce Arreguin said.

Organizers who normally host Flag for Every Hero are reminding the community that their volunteers normally come back the next day and remove the flags, collecting them for the next ceremony. They are asking volunteers to come back out and pick the flags up.

SEE ALSO: Union places nearly 3K flags at Riverside National Cemetery after event canceled due to shutdown

Over the weekend, more than 300 volunteers from local chapters of the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters placed flags at the cemetery ahead of Veterans Day.

The union members bought their own flags, saying they wanted to make sure "heroes are not forgotten at Riverside National Cemetery."