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Vets and Scouts place flags at Warwick and St. Stephen’s Cemeteries in preparation for Memorial Day ceremonies

| 11 May 2012 | 02:06
    On Saturday, April 28, volunteers from Warwickís American Legion Post 214, VFW Post 4662 and Boy Scout Troop 45 completed the placing of more than 1,400 flags at the local grave sites of veterans.
    On Saturday, April 28, volunteers from Warwickís American Legion Post 214, VFW Post 4662 and Boy Scout Troop 45 completed the placing of more than 1,400 flags at the local grave sites of veterans.
    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.
    Photos by Roger Gavan Civil War veterans: "The Warwick Boys."
    Photos by Roger Gavan Civil War veterans: "The Warwick Boys."

WARWICK — Volunteers from Warwick’s American Legion Post 214, VFW Post 4662 and Boy Scout Troop 45 completed the placing of more than 1,400 flags at the local grave sites of veterans on Saturday, April 28.

The task in Warwick and St. Stephen’s cemeteries, completed in one day, was in preparation for upcoming Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday, May 28.

World War II Navy veteran Ed Hodas chaired the operation for American Legion Post 214’s Flag Placement Committee. Eagle Scout Jared Olsen of Boy Scout Troop 45 coordinated the volunteers.

“Jared did it all,” said Hodas. “Since the Scouts joined us and started doing most of the walking and climbing, it’s been a big help to us old guys. I’ve been doing this for 19 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 flags at St. Stephen’s Cemetery. 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 site at St. Stephen’s or Warwick Cemetery did not receive a flag, they are asked to call Ed Hodas at 986-3029.

- Roger Gavan