Jerry Brearton submitted this article.
The American Legion Post 328 in Morrison, IL, installed over 1000 American Flags on Veterans graves at Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, on Armed Forces Day, May 21, 2016. New flags are installed, and old markers are replaced each year by Post 328 and volunteers prior to Memorial Day.
Volunteers assisting with the project ranged in age from nine years old (Blaine Williams) to more than one in their eighties, including veterans and non-veterans alike. All assistance is greatly appreciated.
Volunteers are listed alphabetically: Bob Brands, Jack Brearton, Jerry Brearton, Al Buikema, Sparky Forrester, Terry Jones, Barry Linder, Eric Mulnix, Ken Petersen, Wally Peterson, Garry Seaman, Dave Sterns, E. H. Stralow, Dale Usterbowski, Ron Wiersema, Blaine Williams, and Mark Williams.
Additionally, Legionnaire Al Geerts, his wife Donna, and their two granddaughters, Corrina and Cassidy Geerts, put over 150 flags and markers up at 14 rural cemeteries throughout Whiteside County.
Since Morrison Legion Post has been doing this service for so long, it goes real[ly] well. Volunteers listen for the name being called out by the clipboard holder; look for the grave; verify it; install a flag in the marker. If the marker is in disrepair or missing, they install a new one.
Everyone always leaves with a sense a pride once the task is complete. This can take anywhere from two hours to three, depending on the number of volunteers present.
“The task seems daunting at first, but goes real[ly] smooth[ly], once we get started and get into the flow,” stated Commander Dale Usterbowski.