Mrs. Senna said her older brother, whom she never got to know as well as she would have liked, was a source of direction to her when she was growing up. He was always there for me. He always gave me the right advice. Tomorrow the Senna family will gather once more at his grave. They will visit together, share stories and then return home for a family gathering.
Family is a big part of many veterans groups and families.
For the American Portuguese Veterans Association, its proud family is shrinking quickly. In 1948 there were more than 1,500 members. Now there are about 250. Despite their shrinking numbers, the veterans have made an annual commitment to decorate the graves of their comrades each of the last 26 years. Many of the American Portuguese veterans say they are afraid of how future Memorial Days will be celebrated.