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More than 200 people turned out at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery as 33 veterans were interred at their final resting place.

鈥淲hen you have the opportunity to pay homage and honor to your fellow comrades and allow them to have their final resting place and offer that closure to families, that鈥檚 what I鈥檓 all about,鈥� said Teddy De Souza, a 20-year U.S. Army veteran.

As each of the 33 veterans鈥� names were announced, a bell was rung to honor them, and the speaker turned to salute. There was an additional veteran whose name was called but whose cremains were not interred, the organization said.

The veterans served during different periods of time, from the Korean War to the Cold War.

Amid the windy conditions Saturday, service members honored four families with folded U.S. flags. A rifle salute was performed by American Legion Sacaton Post 84 shortly before the cremains were taken by members of each military branch to rest in the stone columbarium.

The urns were carried as 鈥淕od Bless America鈥� played from the carillon bell tower.

The goal of the Missing in America Project, which has chapters in several states, is to 鈥渓ocate, identify and inter鈥� unclaimed veteran cremains. Volunteers work with different state and federal organizations toaccomplish the mission.

鈥淚 think it means a lot for anyone that has served in the military to ensure that no man or woman is left behind,鈥� said Scott Fincher, assistant deputy director at the Arizona Department of Veterans鈥� Services.

鈥淭ruly this is the last resting place for someone that might鈥檝e otherwise been sitting on a shelf for eternity at a funeral home somewhere. This is grand. It鈥檚 enlightening,鈥� Fincher said.

More than 600 veterans have been interred in Arizona since the organization was launched in 2007. Nationally, 3,688 veterans have been interred.

鈥淚鈥檓 just happy that the families have final closure, so they can see their loved ones get the proper respect that they鈥檙e due,鈥� De Souza said. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 miss it for the world.鈥�

Saturday鈥檚 ceremony was the second in the organization鈥檚 biannual recognition of veterans.

鈥淲e鈥檙e all on the same team,鈥� De Souza said. 鈥淓very branch, one team, same common cause. For the service of our country.鈥�

Dennis Gardner, of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 97, gave his final remarks as the ceremony drew to a close.

鈥淲hile some of us were at school learning the trade, they stood their watch. Their watch now stands relieved,鈥� Gardner said.

鈥淲e now have the watch.鈥�