Community gathers to place flags on veterans’ graves ahead of Memorial Day

LIVERPOOL, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — It’s a small token to honor those that gave so much.

“They’ve sacrificed for us, you know, they gave their lives and it’s just very important that we honor them this weekend, Memorial Day weekend,” Ken Palmer, Commander of the Liverpool American Legion Post 188, said.

The Liverpool American Legion Post 188 had great help from the community, placing new flags in exchange for the old ones on all the veterans’ graves at the Village of Liverpool Cemetery.

“It’s very important for us to step up and help them when they do these things because they’re very active in the community,” Ava Clarry, an active member of Key Club at Liverpool High School, said. “We don’t know what we’d do without them, and we take them for granted.”

The flags picked up will go to the New York State Fairgrounds Watchfire to be disposed of properly.

Many of the flags being replaced are for veterans who served years ago, and some of the volunteers doing the replacing are just about a decade old.

“Part of the Cub Law in the Scout Oath are to honor our country, to be loyal to our country, to be brave, which are all characteristics of what our veterans have shown to us through their service, and that is what we’ve gained,” Andrew Stanton, Cub Master for Pack 208 in Liverpool, said.

The younger generation carrying on the tradition of honoring all those who have served.

“In scouting that is a major importance for us, to honor our country, our veterans and the lives that they gave for us and the time that they gave to us,” Stanton said.

And those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

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