Vets’ groups welcome contributions for flags, markers at cemeteries in Albion

Photo by Tom Rivers: These Scouts placed flags at Mount Albion Cemetery  on May 18. From left include Mason Patten, Peter Stritzinger, Owen Monaghan and Colton Durow. Scouts and other volunteers placed more than 2,000 flags on vets’ graves at Mount Albion and St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

ALBION – The new flags that are placed on about 2,500 veterans’ graves in the Albion area every May don’t come for free.

The VFW and American Legion work together to get the flags, as well as replacing some of the metal markers at veterans’ graves. The cost is about $3,500 a year.

Matt Passarell, quarter master for the VFW, recently spoke to the Albion Village Board asked for the village to continue to set aside some funds annually to help pay for the flags and markers.

The village in recent years tended to contribute $150 towards the cause. It budgeted $300 in 2023-24, and increased it to $500 in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

The flags cost about $1.15 each, with the metal markers about $42.

Greg Bennett, a village trustee, said the village might be able to team up with the veterans’ organizations in a fundraiser to help pay for the flags and markers.

Passarell said the community has donated before to the effort. Anyone interested in donating to buy flags and markers can mail a check to the VFW, 38 Platt St., Albion, NY 14411. The check should note the money is for “Flags and Markers.”

Passarell said the veterans’ groups have an aging membership. The groups are active serving veterans and the community, with the Honor Guard attending 30 to 40 funerals a year, he said.