American Legion Riders honor the fallen for Memorial Day

Cheyenne's Memorial Day celebration hosted in Beth El cemetery has been cancelled due to COVID-19, but it doesn't stop people from honoring the fallen.

The American Legion Riders, along with community volunteers, still had their chance to recognize fallen heroes by placing flags on the graves of service members.

"This is for the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, coast guardsmen, and now in the future space force members, that died in action protecting our country," said Mark "Gunner" Pfenning. Pfenning is a retired Warrant Officer 5 from the Army National Guard, and the director of Post 6 ALR.

He continues, "They made it possible for us to enjoy days like this. To come out and gather with who we want to gather with, and do those barbecues. If you're having a barbecue today, good for you. That's what these men and women sacrificed their lives for, is to keep this country free."

"There is so much symbolism tied up in that piece of cloth and those three colors, it really defies description," said Pfenning.

Similar to past years, the flags will stay on the graves until May 30, when ALR and community volunteers will take them down. The flags are returned to the post for cleaning, bundling, and storage.

For these veterans, whether is be honoring their friends or people they don't know at all, they all signed up for the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

"There is no greater honor. When I pass away, my coffin will be covered by a flag. That's all I need. How can you do any better? I don't know how."