TYLER, Texas — Over Memorial Day weekend, ceremonies were held across East Texas to remember those who gave their lives serving our country.
Bubba's 33 in Tyler paid a special tribute to those no longer with us by setting up the "Missing Man Table" -- an empty table decorated and dedicated to fallen servicemembers.
"We set that up to honor all of our veterans that may have been lost in combat or maybe not come home," said Hanna Brewer with Bubba's 33. "We are hoping for a safe return and hopefulness for all of their families who've lost anybody."
Tyler resident Sylvia Marshall knows all too well what the table stands for as her late husband, Brady Marshall, served in the United States Army.
"It means a lot to me that people that have served for our country are recognized even though they're not here anymore," Marshall said,
She spent the day memorializing her husband at his resting place and says the holiday reminds her of him every time.
Many other East Texans also shared how the table made them feel.
"You think about how the people that have died for the country, for our freedom, and they're not here anymore," said Brently Baker. "It kind of makes me feel a little warm inside."
"I didn't really expect to see it, but when I saw it I was very happy," said Kristin Crouch. "It made me remember the fallen heroes of our nation."
"Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summertime," said Marine Corps veteran Ted Youngblood. "People get on the lake and go to the beach and that's fine. I just hope they realize the importance of the sacrifices that were made so that we can enjoy things that we take for granted."
Brewer says the restaurant is dedicated to honoring veterans. Beginning Wednesday, May 31- Tuesday, July 4, for every purchase of their “Patriot Burger” $1 will be donated to the nonprofit “Homes For Our Troops" to raise money to help build specially adapted homes for veterans. The goal across all Bubba's restaurants is to raise $100,000.