America’s love for our fallen heroes is still alive and well thanks to private individuals and organizations who keep the tradition alive.
My sister and I were talking about Memorial Day and how when we grew up Memorial Day meant a parade honoring our military service men. It also meant that the graves of former military service men received flags every year throughout the state. My family tradition is that each year flowers would be put on the graves of loves ones who have passed. Each year the local veterans would quietly place flags on the grave sites of former service members in preparation for Memorial Day. Our family was glad to see the flag on my grandfather’s grave site to commemorate his service to our country.
Today, however, more Americans seem to be grumbling about almost everything in the United States. They fail or don’t want to see the kindness of others and especially those who have given their life so that we can be free! America is full of people who are sewing seeds of kindness and love, however, you just don’t hear it in the media. Why? If they keep us riled up, divided against each other and sewing seeds of hate and contempt, then we won’t have time to see the truth–that there is good happening at the same time. Everyone focuses on the negative and the good gets lost because it doesn’t sell newspapers or increase ratings. Meanwhile, good is happening all around us but we need to stop and pay attention. I would like to share a story about a self-less group of Americans and former service men who have been remembering our fallen heroes every Memorial Day since 1919.
James Otto and others at Brandon-Fairwater American Legion Post 378 of Wisconsin quietly place over 6,000 flags on the graves of former military servicemen every Memorial Day since 1919, according to FDL Reporter. Otto, now 86 and his comrades from the Post 378 place flags on the graves year after year because they want the families and Americans to know they will not be forgotten. It means a lot to the families who have lost loved ones when they arrive at the cemetery to honor their family members. These self-less men and others across the country provide flags for fallen service men, even if it means racking up personal debt. However, the men at Post 378 and others like them are aging. Who will continue the tradition after these men are gone?
Find out what military group, post or organization places the flags on former military grave sites and give a donation, offer to help, or ask what is their greatest need and then fill it.
- Stop and remember our fallen service men and their families.
- They have paid the ultimate price for your freedom–don’t take it for granted!
Remember: You don’t have to wait until Memorial Day to support them.
Photo Courtesy of Doug Raflik/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
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