Placing Flags on Memorial Day

Saturday morning, sweetie and I visited the Tennessee Veterans' Cemetery to take part in placing American flags in front of the headstones. Since this was our first time, we weren't sure what to expect, so we arrived early. In fact, there was only one other family there, which turned out to be a good thing, because we enjoyed talking with them. Plus, it gave us time to wander around the cemetery while it was still quiet and deserted and morning mist rose from the acres of rolling lawn.

Those red roses you see in this photo were fresh, obviously placed within a few hours of our arrival, with dew still on the petals. Part of me wished that whoever had left them there had come a little later, after the flags had been placed.


There are many monuments. Here are just a few:






After a while, a crowd had gathered. There were many families, including several men and women currently serving, who'd brought their children along. A stirring speech was given based on a General Douglas MacAuthor quote: Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.

Flags were handed out and everyone set to work. When you watch the soldiers placing flags at Arlington National Cemetery, everything appears very precise and orderly. Although this work was precise -- flags are required to be placed twelve inches in front of the center of the stone -- while enthusiasm was high, orderly wasn't precisely the word I'd use. But the respect and appreciation for our veterans' service was obvious among all.


Among those taking part were many former veterans who belong to various motorcycle groups who ride to military funerals and other events to honor their fallen brothers and sisters. This was one of them.


I've never seen so many Scouts in one place since the long-ago days when sweetie was Pack Master and I served as Pack Secretary and we took part in the Arizona Scout-o-rama Jamboree. (Only for our son would I wear a bowling shirt covered with patches out in public!)


I watched a cheerful Vietnam vet, with artificial legs below both knees, laughingly showing off the cleats on the bottom of his running shoes that kept him from slipping on the hilly, damp grass. One teenage Scout waited politely for him to finish his conversation with a group of people, then thanked him for his service. The vet in turn, thanked the teen for his service there that day. You won't see a photo of their exchange because I found it too personal a moment to share publicly. But it was very moving to witness and I'm glad I can at least tell you about it.

Finally, all the stones had flags. Many of us did one last check, row by row, to make sure no one had been missed. Because the idea of a family visiting a loved one's final resting place and finding it the only one without a flag was unthinkable.




We were only there for a little more than two hours. And although by the time the last flag had been placed, that lovely early mist had turned southern steamy, it was one of the most special experiences of our lives. One of the things we learned was that you don't have to be part of any official group. All you have to do is show up. And it helps if you bring a screwdriver to punch the hole for the flag and a ruler to measure those twelve inches, if your foot isn't actually a foot long. (Watching on the news, the soldiers at Arlington all use their boots to measure.) Flags are provided.

If you'd like to take part -- on Veterans' Day or next Memorial Day -- simply call your local Veterans' Cemetery before the weekend and ask when to show up. I know they'll be glad to have you participate and you'll not only make yourself feel great and bring pleasure to those who visit their loved one's final resting place over the holiday, it's a super way to honor those men and women who've put themselves in harms way so the rest of us don't have to.

Finally, for those who didn't see Friday's blog, here's a Memorial Day video I found on YouTube. (Warning. . . keep the Kleenex handy!)