NATCHEZ — Several Natchez residents will make a pilgrimage to the nation’s capitol next month to pay respect for those who served the nation for Adams County.

Natchez residents Lynn DeLaughter and former Natchez Mayor Tony Byrne will accompany Baltimore resident Lawrence Bass to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on June 15, 12:30 p.m. to honor veterans from Natchez and Adams County.

“It’s a very somber reality,” DeLaughter said.

DeLaughter said it’s a great privilege to be able to travel to Washington, D.C.

Arlington National Cemetery is a United States military cemetery in Arlington County, Va., across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The Tomb of the Unknown Solider — a memorial dedicated to Soldiers who died without being identified — overlooks from the cemetery.

More than 400,000 people are buried in the cemetery.

DeLaughter, who is a U.S. Air Force veteran and retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services agent, said he wants to remind himself of what true freedom is on June 15.

“If there is any doubt that it cost us a lot for the freedom we have today, it’s because of veterans,” he said. “Every national cemetery has its emotional character because of the people that are buried there.”

DeLaughter visited Arlington National Cemetery in 2001 with Bass while living in Virginia.

Bass, who is originally from Natchez, graduated from Natchez-Adams High School in 1967 and has lived in Baltimore for 45 years.

“Since (DeLaughter) was in Virginia, I invited him to join me in presenting a wreath at the tomb in December 2001,” Bass said. “I wanted to do something to show that we really appreciate all of the things that veterans have done.”

When Bass laid the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 2001, he did it in honor of his classmates and his late uncle Clyde Adams, who was a coach at Natchez High School.

“I can’t begin to tell you the feeling that you get when you walk down those steps and stand where presidents have stood,” Bass said. “The emotional feeling you get that all of those people gave their lives so you can stand in that spot.”

Byrne has visited Arlington National Cemetery three times, including during his term as mayor of the City of Natchez in 1970.

“The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a symbol of the men and women who gave their lives to protect us,” Byrne said. “That alone should draw people to the site, but there are many other attractions as well.”

As part of the wreath laying, Bass and company will receive two American flags.

One flag will be donated to Natchez and Adams County and the other will be given to the family of a special veteran.

A ceremony will be coordinated with a Veteran’s Day event during Natchez tricentennial celebration in 2016 to donate the American flags.

Although only four participants can lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, individuals can accompany the four and watch the ceremony.

Those who wish to join can email Bass at alumni@natchez-rebels.org.