HIALEAH, Fla. – Memorial Day plays out a lot like this for many South Florida Families: go to the beach, eat barbecue and hang out with family.
It's a very different kind of day for Marta Alverez. She spent the day thinking about her son Ofren Arrechaga.
"I keep him alive in my heart," said Alverez.
Two years ago Alverez received the worst kind of news. Her son, who was days away from coming home, died in Afghanistan.
"It hurts because he's not here," said Alvarez.
In spite of the pain, relatives believe this hero lost his life doing what he loved.
Veterans honored Ofren's ultimate sacrifice at the Memorial Day service in Hialeah.
The vets and this family only ask one thing of the rest of this community. Take a moment between the barbecues and the fun to remember fallen heroes like Ofren Arrechaga.