Service Honors Veterans At Sarasota National Cemetery

When Gov. Rick Scott looks across the grave markers at Sarasota National Cemetery, it takes him back to a trip in Normandy.

"I saw all the tombs there and the number of Americans who gave all for our freedom during the second World War, and the first thing you think of when you came here is the same thing," Scott told Patch Sunday. "All these individuals at some time in their life defended our right to freedom."

The governor's visit was part of the cemetery's Salute To Fallen Heroes where hundreds packed a tent to help honor veterans' sacrifice. 

War has had its hardships here in Florida.

The state has lost 318 soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, Buchanan said, and in the congressman's district, nine soldiers have died during those two wars.

Two such soldiers were honored at the ceremony Sunday — Specialist Patrick Lay of Bradenton and Lance Cpl. Nathaniel Schultz of Brandon.

Lay, 21, was killed in Afghanistan when a van he was in hit an improvised explosive device on Aug. 11, 2011. He was a graduate of Braden River High School. 

Lay's mother Stefanie Hernandez was present during the ceremony and told WWSB she's honored:

"People put up the things but it seems like every day I live a memorial day," said Hernandez, who lost her son Patrick Lay in Afghanistan last summer. ...

"I had a lot of mixed emotions, when they first asked I was very honored, very humbled," said Hernandez.

The governor came to Sarasota National Cemetery because it's relatively new, being brought into service in 2009. It serves as a burial ground for veterans from World War II and beyond. 

"It will be one of the biggest cemeteries in Florida, eventually," Scott said.

Florida has seven national cemeteries, according to the Department of Veterans affairs:

• Barrancas National Cemetery
• Bay Pines National Cemetery
• Florida National Cemetery
• Jacksonville National Cemetery
• Sarasota National Cemetery
• South Florida National Cemetery
• St. Augustine National Cemetery

A pavilion is planned for Sarasota National Cemetery and should be open next year, Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Longboat Key)  said. 

"It will serve almost 400,000 veterans and their families," Buchanan said.

Memorial Day celebrations continue Monday in Sarasota with the Sarasota Memorial Day Parade on Main Street starting from Osprey Avenue and ending at Gulfstream Avenue. The parade begins at 10 a.m.