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'We'll always remember': Parents reflect on their son's life on Memorial Day

While many enjoy Memorial Day with friends and family, those who lost a loved one serving our country use this day to reflect.

While many enjoy Memorial Day with friends and family, those who lost a loved one serving our country use this day to reflect. On Memorial Day, we remember what they gave and recognize the families who are still grieving their loss.

Marine Corporal Justin Fowler was pictured alongside 150 other fallen heroes from Arkansas at the Memorial Day ceremony in Maumelle. It’s a day his parents use to reflect on their son's life.

"Proud of him," Larry Fowler said as he looked at his son’s picture.

Not a day goes by they don't think of him, but every Memorial Day, Vicky and Larry Fowler remember why their son paid the ultimate sacrifice.

“It means much more than it once did to us,” said Larry Fowler. “They did what they did sacrifice so that we can do this, so we can enjoy a weekend, so we can enjoy the freedoms that we sometimes take for granted as Americans.”

Marine Corporal Justin Fowler, 23, was their only son. They remember his contagious smile.

“He had the ability to make others smile as well,” said Larry Fowler.

“He was always entertaining people, that’s what he was best at,” said Vicky Fowler.

He had a charismatic personality that made him a best friend to many.

“Justin was very outgoing, never met a stranger,” said Vicky Fowler.

A Little Rock Central High and UCA cheerleader, Fowler found his passion in gymnastics and tumbling.

“He liked the very physical aspect of anything so that’s what made him decide to go into the marines,” said Vicky Fowler.

In 2011, Fowler was serving our country in Okinawa, Japan. He was set to return home in a few weeks when he fell from a tall building, resulting in traumatic brain injury. After a year-long coma, Fowler died August 16, 2012.

“Before this happened, Memorial Day was the typical hamburgers, hot dogs, go to the lake, and three day weekend, but now it’s more than that, it’s a time of reflection and we spend these days reflecting on Justin’s life and all the other heroes that have fallen,” said Larry Fowler.

While they still feel the pain of losing a son, they're comforted to know his sacrifice will never go unnoticed.

“Because of things like this, they’ll never be forgotten. We'll always remember,” said Larry Fowler on the Maumelle ceremony recognizing fallen heroes.

Arkansas Run for the Fallen, which provided the flags and posts with pictures of 150 fallen heroes, is now working to provide a wreath for every veteran buried at the Little Rock National Cemetery for Wreaths Across America in six months. With 240 wreaths right now, they are 1 percent of their goal. To donate to that cause, click here.

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