FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) - For the first time at the Fayetteville National Cemetery, the name of every veteran and spouse is being read.
The Roll Call of Honor started Sunday (May 24) at 1:30 p.m., and is expected to last through Monday (May 25) at 9 a.m.
Peggy McClain, whose father and husband served in the military, read the very first name.
"I'd rather do that than be the last one, I want to kick it off, I want people to think about what's happening here," McClain said.
She said her mother and father are buried at the cemetery, and one day she and her husband will be too.
"It's important that we honor all of the people here, for what they sacrificed for us," McClain said.
9,632 people are buried at the cemetery. Cemetery director Tom Ruck said 172 volunteers will read for 19.5 hours straight. This is only the second time in national cemetery history that the feat has been done.
"You know we often talk about the term 'we will never forget' well we are not forgetting here in Northwest Arkansas we are going to remember every one of them that's been laid to rest here since 1867," Ruck said.
There will be a Memorial Day service at the cemetery following the roll call.