The Avenue of Flags at St. Patrick Cemetery is seen in this News Herald File Photo. News-Herald/John Speer

A project to honor the military men and women who had made sacrifices for us and our Nation began in 1966. American Legion and VFW auxiliary and post members started the Avenue of Flags project under the leadership of Molly McNall. Families of veterans could donate the burial casket flags and a small amount of money to have a flag flown each memorial day. The project had 80 flags that first year flying at the Oak Hill and St. Patrick cemeteries.

Each flag was labeled with the veterans name and War they served, a name plate was purchased with the same information and they were numbered to keep them together. The flags were flown from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Memorial Day.

Today we fly 421 flags in Oak Hill and St. Patrick’s cemetery; they are no longer the large casket flags but 4 x 6 nylon flags which are lighter and much more durable. Members of the American Legion and VFW Auxiliaries and Posts, and many other volunteers raise the flags each year. The flags fly Memorial weekend from Saturday to Memorial Day at 4:00 p.m.

Volunteers are always needed to put up the flags on Saturday morning and take them down on Memorial Day.

If you are interested in helping you can meet at the American Legion or go directly to one of the cemeteries at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday May 25. If you can help take them down we meet at the cemeteries at 4:00 p.m. on Memorial Day. All help is greatly appreciated don’t wait for a personal invitation, join us to honor our veterans.

Anyone that would like to honor a veteran from their family can do so by making a donation to purchase a flag, pole, and name plate. For further information contact Jackie Skala or Lori Baier.