BEDFORD – Veterans Affairs Officer Brad Bough says around 8,500 American flags will be placed on Lawrence County veterans’ graves just before Memorial Day.
This national holiday commemorates those who gave their lives in service of the nation—a somber reminder that freedom isn’t always free.
“If a volunteer does miss a grave, we are human,” Bough said. The family just needs to stop by my office in the basement of the Lawrence County Courthouse, and a flag will be given to the family to place on the grave. It is never intentional—missing a grave. The veteran may have passed recently and is not yet on our list.”
The flags are usually placed on the graves the week of May 20th.
“We wouldn’t be able to do this without the support of the Lawrence County Commissioners and the volunteers who place the flags on the graves,” added Bough.
Volunteers include local Boy and Girl Scout troopers, American Legion Post 33 members, and local church members.
Family of veterans that pass near or just after Memorial Day can also stop by and get a flag for the grave.
“There is no need for them to wait a year to get a flag,” added Bough. They can just stop by the office and request one.”
In 2000, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act, asking people to stop and remember at 3:00 p.m. On Memorial Day, the flag of the United States is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon, then raised to the top of the staff until sunset. This honors the nation’s battle heroes and all the people who lost their lives serving the United States.
