Legion in Lyndonville welcomes help in placing 445 flags at veterans’ graves

Photos courtesy of Steve Goodrich: The American Legion in Lyndonville will set 445 flags on veterans’ graves

Press Release, Houseman-Tanner Post 1603

LYNDONVILLE – The Houseman-Tanner Post 1603 of the American Legion will be performing our flag-in in preparations for Memorial Day on Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Lynhaven Cemetery. We have 445 flags to place and could use the help of any interested parties. We will meet near the flagpole & cannon.

Next I want to put out a friendly reminder. The markers that hold the flags (pictured) are purchased by the Houseman-Tanner Post. These markers are meant to be in the ground year round.

Occasionally, family members or friends take these home during winter months. Please note once they are placed in the ground they become property of the cemetery. If you have taken one please make sure it is returned by Thursday.

This is important because without the marker a veteran may be missed and not have a flag placed. Also the cost for the markers has gone up exponentially in the last 5 years. Bronze markers have been priced out of the post’s ability to purchase from $43 per marker in 2019 to over $145 each this year.

To combat that, the post is now purchasing bronze plated aluminum markers. I will add this, no one honestly taking one home, “for safekeeping” will have any problems from myself or the post, so long as the marker is returned to the proper grave.

That said, any person caught stealing markers (Yes, it has occurred elsewhere) will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. These veterans gave so very much for us to enjoy our freedoms that many take for granted, please help us honor them with the respect they deserve.

Steve Goodrich

Commander

Houseman-Tanner Post 1603