Veterans Replace Flags at Local Cemeteries for Memorial Day

Did you ever wonder how new flags appear on veterans’ grave sites in the Central Bucks County area each year, just before Memorial Day?

Each year, in early May, veterans of local organizations replace the worn and tattered flags with new ones on the graves of veterans of all the wars that the United States has been a part of from the Revolutionary War to present conflicts. 

These veterans, from World War II to the present, walk up and down each aisle in more than 20 cemeteries in the area replacing worn or missing flags.

Those buried in these cemeteries include all ranks and services from privates to generals.  It is a labor of love, as well as a labor of duty for these men who have served our country in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and other armed conflicts.

Jack Strollo, a member of the American Legion Post 210, is currently the program coordinator for this effort. He ensures that the cemeteries are ready for Memorial Day services by assigning members of the American Legion Post 175 of Doylestown and the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 210, to replace the flags. Also, for the past nine years, Jack has been assisted by the Bucks County Youth Center – Residential Services Unit. 

Jack and those who assist know the importance of this task and ensures that these deceased veterans are honored with new flags each year.  He feels that this task is one of the greatest efforts he does as a member of his Veterans’ group.

This year, 2014, I took my almost 4 year old GrandDaughter with me to help.  Her picture is attached.  It is difficult to explain to a young child exactly why we do this, but I think the attached picture is worth a 1000 words.

In 2010, I was asked to do a piece for our local NBC Channel 10 station, the link to the television story is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnINriNsUuI&feature=youtu.be

Here is Jack Strollo talking about the task: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIEeFkEeRa4&feature=relmfu

Spanish American War Veteran at Doylestown Cemetery:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcI6d5dUblA&feature=relmfu

Some of the graves at Doylestown Cemetery:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o-z4i7AUPY&feature=relmfu