Montco Delays Memorial Day Flag Distribution, Angering Vet Groups

NORRISTOWN, PA — Montgomery County has stirred controversy amongst some veterans groups and local leaders with their decision to delay the annual distribution of American flags in honor of Memorial Day over coronavirus health concerns.

As they do every year, the county purchased 59,000 flags, and anticipated distributing the flags to 59 different organizations throughout the area to honor fallen American service members.

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However, due to the risks posed by large groups coming together to distribute and then post the flags, the county has decided to delay that distribution until July 4.

"Bringing these large groups together creates the very situation that so many have worked to avoid," Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh said Wednesday, expressing regret at what she called a spring of "extroardinarily tough decisions."

The groups, including scout troops, Rotary and Lions clubs, and VFWs, had planned on posting the flags at 212 graves and other locations around the county.

Fellow Commissioner Joe Gale called the decision "disgraceful."

"Memorial Day is the national holiday honoring the men and women who have died while serving to defend our freedom," Gale said Wednesday. "The Chinese virus should not stop us from properly remembering these very real heroes."

In response, Gale, the Conshohocken VFW Post 1074, and other local groups are working together to buy flags independently.

"We at the VFW Post 1074 in Conshohocken do not find this acceptable," they shared on social media Wednesday. "Neither should you. Buying the flags was always the last option. We hoped the elected officials would of came through for our veterans."

The group is hoping to purchase 4,500 flags ahead of the holiday, and estimates a cost of $4,500. They've already raised $2,500 from local businesess.

"We fully acknowledge the frustration that has been expressed by some groups," Arkoosh said.

Families and friends are still permitted to visit the graves of veterans on Memorial Day. They are asked to wear masks and continue to comply with social distancing regulations.

By moving the posting of the flags to July 4, officials say that the county will have plenty of time to distribute the flags to participating organizations safely and in a socially distant manner. By that point, Arkoosh said "we believe we will be able to honor the fallen with less risk"."

Elsewhere, the Philadelphia National Cemetery has issued an alert for all visitors to stay in their cars if they visited gravesites on Memorial Day.

The American Legion has also announced they will practice a virtual Memorial Day, sharing names regularly on social media.

Montgomery County Courthouse will be lit up red, white, and blue on Memorial Day, and some flags will still be posted around the area.

>>The latest coronavirus updates in Pennsylvania.