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Vets, Flags and Cemeteries.. Opinions please..

LesWVa
I have a friend who's father own three rather large cemeteries.
We were at one today looking over some landscaping work that he wants done.

The ole man that owns the cemeteries was there and was a little upset over the small flags that the VFW had placed on the graves this past Memorial day. He was not upset that they did it. What got him was how they are now laying on the ground, torn, trashed, mowed over etc, etc.

Now he plans to approach the local chapters of the VFW and suggest that they have only one ceremony with the raising of one large flag. Have a large black or white stone with the names of all of the Veterans whom is buried in the cemetery engraved on the stone by a flag pole (all of the money for the stone and large pole will come out of his pocket).

The ole guy is a Vet himself and it highly upsets him to see any US laying on the ground and thrown in the trash, which is where they all end up within a few weeks after Memorial day.

Myself I can see the guys point in many ways. Plus it will save the VFW Post a lot of money and work.


Like I stated. He is only thinking of suggesting it to the VFW and let them decide if it is something that they wish to think about and do or leave it as is with a single small flag being placed on each grave.


What are your guys, especially the Vets take on the subject.

I myself spent 6 years in the Army and have many family members whom have served in in the military from the Civil war up to and including Iraq.

And In my opinion I see nothing wrong with his suggestion and think that he has a decent idea.
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Comments

13 comments

Date Votes
  • Rack Ops
    Honestly, I think it is an excellent idea.
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  • Colt Super
    As a Vet, I think it would be OK. But maybe epoxy a small enameled flag to the headstone ??

    I think the Fallen would want to feel close to Old Glory.

    Doug
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  • ljwrench
    It's a good idea but why not have the VFW enlist a scout troop or something like that and remove the individual flags the day after Memorial Day. That way the flags can be reused and won't end up on the ground.
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  • Warbirds
    Maybe it is as simple as asking the VFW to collect the flags within a week or so, to avoid them being destroyed.

    As a vet, I think the flag and stone with names is a very kind gesture as well.
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  • iwannausername
    Not a vet, not near a cemetery (I hope).. ljwrench is correct in that it would be good to involve the younguns, and certainly better to pick them up and save them. On the other hand, I do see a nice side to the one big flag idea. Of course, if you went that way, you would still have individual families, etc. that would place a flag next to their own.... so you'd still need the boy scouts, etc.

    So both ideas?
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  • JamesRK
    If they aren't going to follow up, they shouldn't put them out.

    Nothing wrong with the idea.
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  • 788-308
    Another affirmative to ljwrench's statement. Our VFW places the small flags on Veterans graves the Saturday before Memorial Day and then they take them up the day after. Our Cemetery also has a large Memorial marker with the names of all deceased Veterans on it, and usually once a year they have a monument company come and add the names of Vets who have passed in the last year. The cemetery association is who erected the Memorial marker. There is also a Flag pole next to the marker, amd the Flag is illuminated at night.

    Thanks to all who have served and especially to those who are serving now.
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  • aramisvi
    I'd like to offer an idea if I may.

    I'm not industrious enough to figure out a way to make it happen, but is there something that can be attached to the headstones of our heroes that can hold the masts of the flags? Like a mini version of the pole mount you attach to your porch post, something to hold them securely, possisbly be epoxied on, but drilling my be easier and then bolted on (with family permission of course).
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  • sarge_3ad
    Kinda sad they leave the flags to be negleted. My VFW post couldn't afford new flags every year. It's quite generous what the older gentleman wants to do, and if the flags are left and forgotten, and he owns the cemetery, then he has every right to do what he wishes. I for one would be after the VFW post responsible and ensure they collect up the flags before they are ruined.
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  • BT3
    Scouts are involved here at the National cemetary on occasions. Most cemetarys get rid of flags and flowers on a regular basis, especially in the summer as the grass needs cut. Many do not allow upright stones anymore because the extra time to trim around. I have a plot in an area with only flat markers. LV is right, put them up and take them down after a reasonable time.
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  • Permanently deleted user
    The large stone is a great idea, but, the placeing of the small flags is a strong tradition that should not be broken!

    As stated above for the vets burried there to feel close to the colors that they so proudly defended (I know that I will want this when my time comes), and also for the families of those vet to see this gesture as they visit thier loved ones, and even for the passer by's that may even only be driving by the cemetary.

    I am sure you can get either the VFW or a local scout troop to do the service of removing the flags a day or two after Memorial day.

    In fact, I would think that the local scout troops would be honored to be asked to do this service.

    In short: I do not think a tradition like this should be messed with! Rather a solution should be found to avoid the problem of the flags just being discarded.
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  • coffinhandler
    I have worked in the cemetery business for the last 18 years. Every Memorial day we fly 173 large flags that were donated by the deceased relatives. The VFW along with the Boy Scouts, also placed the smaller flags at each individual gravesite. This year they did not have enough manpower to do this. The Cub Scouts came at the last minute, and placed the small flags. The flags remained for about two weeks. No one ever came back to remove them, and the maintenance had to do it. It is a very time consuming job, especially considering how short handed we already are. Customers have already replaced many that were removed, even though they are not allowed except in a permanent vase. It is a constant battle with the customers telling them that we do not allow flags stuck in the ground. If one of the mowers come near a flag it sucks it right into the mower, causing a very disrespectful situation. Customers are also very rude to the employees, stating that we missed putting a flag at their grave, even though we tell them that we do not place the small flags. The people who place the flags should remove them ASAP after Memorial day. We have a large service put on by the VFW, 173 large flags flying, and sometimes a Flyover in salute to our veterans. I totally agree with the cemetery owner.
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  • Chief Shaway
    Our Legion and Sal do the flags at our cemetary. We set small ones out in holders on the Thursday before Memorial Day. They stay up for a week and then we take them down. On Memorial Day, We have our ceremony by the veterans monument. It makes me proud to drive by and see all the flags at the individual stones. They served their service to our country and it is only right for them to have their own flag, even if it is only for a week.
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