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1,600 flags

| 08 May 2013 | 02:38
    On Saturday, April 27, volunteers from Warwickís American Legion Post 214, VFW Post 4662 and Boy Scout Troop 45 completed the placing of over 1600 flags at the graves of veterans throughout the area. From left, Jay Domeseek, Tom Vanduyhnoven, Brandon Sultana, Justin Levitt, Chairman Ed Hodas, Jason Hranitz, Bradly Widulski, Michael Wajda and Assistant Scout Master Anita Sultana.
    On Saturday, April 27, volunteers from Warwickís American Legion Post 214, VFW Post 4662 and Boy Scout Troop 45 completed the placing of over 1600 flags at the graves of veterans throughout the area. From left, Jay Domeseek, Tom Vanduyhnoven, Brandon Sultana, Justin Levitt, Chairman Ed Hodas, Jason Hranitz, Bradly Widulski, Michael Wajda and Assistant Scout Master Anita Sultana.
    Photos by Roger Gavan American Revolutionary War veteran Col. John Cowdrey died in 1835 at age 75.
    Photos by Roger Gavan American Revolutionary War veteran Col. John Cowdrey died in 1835 at age 75.
    The grave site of Revolutionary hero General John Hathorn is in Warwick Cemetery.
    The grave site of Revolutionary hero General John Hathorn is in Warwick Cemetery.

WARWICK — Volunteers from Warwick’s American Legion Post 214, VFW Post 4662 and Boy Scout Troop 45 completed the placing of more than 1,600 flags at the graves of veterans throughout the area on Saturday, April 27.

The task in Warwick and St. Stephen’s Cemeteries, along with many smaller and private cemeteries within the Town of Warwick, was in preparation for upcoming Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday, May 27.

World War II Navy veteran Ed Hodas chaired the operation for American Legion Post 214’s Flag Placement Committee. And 18 scouts and some parents and Troop leaders served as volunteers.

“Since the Scouts joined us and started doing most of the walking and climbing, it’s been a big help to us old guys,” said Hodas. “I’ve been doing this for 20 years.”

During Memorial Day ceremonies in 2006, American Legion Post 214 Commander at that time, Walter Parkinson, mentioned the importance of placing Flags on the graves of our veterans.

“You may have noticed,” he told an audience of youngsters, “we are old. Someday, you will have to carry on for us.”

The following year, in response to that challenge, the members of Boy Scout Troop 45 offered to join the veterans in placing the flags. And since that time, Troop 45 Scouts accompanied by some parents and Troop Leaders, have been present and willing to make sure that every veteran’s grave in Warwick was identified by an American Flag.

If anyone knows of a veteran whose grave at St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Warwick Cemetery or any local cemetery did not receive a flag, they are asked to call Ed Hodas at 986-3029.

- Roger Gavan