Memorial Day is a day set aside to honor the men and women who have died serving their country.
For some people, it is just another day to take off work. For others, it is a time to focus on loved ones who have fallen and to honor the fight they put forth.
Several people honor fallen veterans by creating tributes that have touched hundreds of individuals.
The Flag Sails Onward
About seven miles away from Key West, Florida, the USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg lies at the bottom of the ocean.
On May 27, 2009, the ship was prepared and sunk to create an artificial reef.
To celebrate the year of the ship's fifth anniversary, divers deployed an American flag under the water and next to the ship. This flag sailed underwater on Memorial Day, 2014, to honor the men who served on the ship during its 40 years.
Even years later, these men are remembered and a ship that no longer sails still holds a sailing flag.
Flowers Floating in Memory
Muskegon, Michigan holds the USS Silversides Submarine Museum, which holds tribute to hundreds of fallen veterans that were credited with sinking 23 major Japanese ships during World War II.
Every Memorial Day, a Lost Boat Ceremony takes place. 2014 held the 27th annual ceremony. Current wives of submarine veterans honored their husband's fallen brothers by tossing colored carnations into the water.
Serving as a memory and a vision into the risks their husbands are currently taking, this ceremony continues to stir military wives all over the country.
Hear Their Names in the Music
Just south of Manila, Philippines lies the suburban area of Taguig. In this area, the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial holds marble walls engraved with 17,202 names.
Every name was sketched in honor of a fallen American World War II veteran who lost their life serving their country in New Guinea or the Philippines.
This past Memorial Day, a Philippine trooper stopped in the middle of the U.S. Memorial Day Ceremony, took out his trumpet and began to play. His song brought silence to everyone and echoed through the marble walls. One song brought silence and one song brought honor.
One Flag for Every Soul
The Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas holds over 100,000 graves belonging to American soldiers.
Every Memorial Day, one flag is placed on every grave. Local groups and communities work together to place the flags and honor every life. During Memorial Day, 2014, photos were captured of a 12-year-old girl named Mikayla.
Mikayla is waiting for her father, a U.S. Marine currently serving a two year deployment in the Middle East. This little girl faithfully placed over 50 American flags while thinking of her father.
Memorial Day is more than just a day off of work or a flag flying free. It is the moment to be silent, to pay tribute and to honor.