DFW National Cemetery honored as Purple Heart VA cemetery

Medal of Honor recipient burial at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery
Medal of Honor recipient burial at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery (File Photo) Photo credit © MCT

With 74,684 service members or family members buried at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, it's the 3rd largest National Cemetery in the country.

During a ceremony on Saturday, September 11, it will become the first "Purple Heart VA Cemetery."

"The thing that tugs at my heart is that in the state of Texas there are more than 47,000 Purple Heart recipients that are still alive," says cemetery director Larry Williams. "To me it was an honor when they called me and told me what they would like to do."

To recieve a Purple Heart, a service member must be either wounded or killed in service.

Whether or not a service member has a Purple Heart, Williams says they recieve a special honor when being buried at the cemetery, which is tucked into rolling hills in southwest Dallas.

"Each and every burial deserves the service and respect that everyone gets that has served our nation," says Williams. "They are our heroes. We've got to honor them, and we've got to memorialize them."

Saturday's ceremony starts at 1 p.m.

LISTEN on the Audacy App

Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD

Facebook | Twitter

Featured Image Photo Credit: © MCT