Mississippi Veteran's Cemetery is doing their part in making sure they honor their heroes.

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WITH VETERANS DAY ALMOST HERE, A SPECIAL TRIBUTE WAS HELD TODAY AT THE MISSISSIPPI VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY. TWIN STATES NEWS DANNY TODD REPORTS THE CEMETERY HOSTED ITS 10TH ANNUAL LAYING OF THE FLAGS AT EVERY HEADSTONE.

This Friday, we celebrate anyone who has ever signed on that dotted line to ensure that our freedoms stay protected. Today, Locals showed up at the Newton Veterans Cemetery to make sure that those no longer with us are still honored.

Ray Coleman is the Director of communications for Ms. VA, and he tells us they want to make sure that every hero is honored, whether they are living or fallen. Veteran's day focuses on the living hero or the living veteran, but Mississippi Veterans Affairs, like to use this as an opportunity to honor all veterans.

Ray Coleman of Veteran Affairs explains. That's why you see flags placed on every headstone and all the funeral urns. The veteran's group encourages everyone to come out and support these kinds of events because in return you're showing your appreciation for the sacrifice of that service member.

He says that is the ultimate sign of gratitude. They fought for the ideals of our American flag and It's only right for us to put that flag and place it there to be a reminder to not just them, but to their family members also.

He added that there are servicemen and women from all over the nation buried in our Mississippi Veteran's cemeteries.

Twin States News also spoke with a local sporting team that came to the cemetery to place the flags at the gravesides. The coach pointed out why it's important for them to give back to those who have given us so much.

Kelsie Poole is the head volleyball coach at NW Rankin High School, and she tells Twin States News that It's much bigger than volleyball. She says she tries to preach to her kids in her program that in order to be a leader, you have to be able to serve. So it's important to their program to teach their kids to have servant leadership.

Kelsie Poole says the fact that this involves veterans gives it a purpose for her girls.

Some younger volunteers also have an emotional attachment that brings them out every year.

Kendall Harris says " I like to be out here to honor the U.S. Army's who died for us."

Kristie Harris says "I like to be out here because my pawpaw is out here buried and he is in the US Army."

Ray Coleman says he enjoys the fact that people want to come out and honor America's fallen heroes. They want to stress that they welcome that any day of the week.

For more information about the Mississippi Veterans Cemeteries or their programs, you can visit their website at www.msva.ms.gov

Veterans Day is this Friday, November 11th

Danny Todd, Twin States News, Newton.