Every Memorial Day, a Quad City family teams up to honor their family members who served in the military.
Beth Lam, Shellie Mooreguy and Mary Houston pace the Rock Island National Cemetery on Memorial Day, placing flowers on their family member's grave sites.
"It's bittersweet," said Mary Houston, the aunt of Lam and Mooreguy. "We get together and talk about the good times."
The tradition started decades ago, back when Lam and Mooreguy were children. Their father, who is now buried at the Rock Island National Cemetery, would join with family members and place flowers at their graves. About 18 years ago, before their father passed away, Lam and Mooreguy joined the family ritual.
It's emotional at times. When they stopped at their father's grave, Mooreguy wiped tears from her eyes. Lam and Houston stood by her side while Lam recalled her father's personality.
"He was a good dad, a good father, a good husband and he took care of his family. That was his main goal," Lam said.
The three would talk amongst themselves, remembering the good times. It's a tradition that bonds the three women together every Memorial Day.