Hundreds Turn Out for Flag-In Events

By NDVS Staff
(Fernley and Boulder City, NV) – Flag-In events in Fernley and Boulder City turned out hundreds of volunteers on Saturday, May 25, 2019.

NORTHERN NEVADA

Dark clouds hung over the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery as hundreds of volunteers gathered on the pavilion grounds to hear instructions on how to properly place an American flag on each gravesite. Many attending knew the instructions by heart. They had chosen to make Flag-In an annual tradition. Girl Scout Erika Frazier told reporter, “Most of my family members have fought in war. I just love coming out to where they have been buried and just to sit there and be out there with them…saying that I’m proud of what they’ve done and I’m proud of what my family has done.”

A cool breeze and light rain didn’t dampen spirits. Cemetery Supervisor Eric Grimes estimates as many as 350 volunteers turned out for the event placing 8,700 American flags on gravesites in just under an hour.

Flag-in events were held across Nevada, including at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery where its estimated some 400-to-500 volunteers turned out for the annual event in Boulder City. (See Volunteers Are Hands-On with Old Glory)

SOUTHERN NEVADA

At the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, hundreds of volunteers placed small American flags on every grave site to commemorate and honor those who have served. Flags are also placed on the grave sites of those who were family members of veterans. This year, cemetery Supervisor Chris Naylor said between 400-500 individuals took part in the flag placement. “They placed 29,521 flags,” he reported.

Not only individuals, but organized groups took part in the placements including Cub Scouts, Devil Pups, college groups and motorcycle clubs among many others. Nine-year-old Parker Carson has been attending for five years with his grandfather Jeff Carson, a member of the Trench Rats, an associate group of the Disabled American Veterans.

Cub Scout Pack 727 and Webelo den members were out in force, led by veteran Ray Bonnecarre. He brings the boys out each year, “To honor our veterans.” Coast Guard veteran John Griffen said placing flags “Is a message for the kids,” letting them know about the sacrifices others have made for the nation. In addition, he explained that each year the Scouts obtain and mail very miniature “American pocket flags” to service people. “They are folded just like larger flags and fit into pockets. That way they can be carried wherever the soldier goes. Last year, we mailed 1,000 of them to military members overseas.”