Monday, May 31, 2010

Avenue of Flags

The Avenue of Flags is on display every Memorial Day and Veterans Day at Oak Grove Cemetery in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
This project began in 1991 with 43 Veterans Burial Flags. As of Veterans Day 2009, 737 Veterans Burial Flags were being displayed.
Each Flag has a gold tag with the name of the Service Member and which branch of service and which War Era they served.
I learned of this display of flags from another blogger last year, she visited and had many wonderful photos to share with her readers. Thanks! Livin' It Up Country for sharing!
Far Guy, Madison and I went over yesterday. It is a site to behold, I have never seen so many flags in one area. It is hard to focus on just one flag when there are so many to see.
I saw flags, but I also saw burials and flag covered caskets, the slow ceremonial folding of the flag, taps being played for the last time and a family receiving a flag. There comes a time when there is no one that wants the burial flag anymore..and this project is a perfect place for those long ago service men and womens flags to fly for a few days each year..so that they are never forgotten:)

13 comments:

Lynda said...

This is very impressive and a wonderful salute to the men and women who have given us our freedoms in this country. Thank you for sharing it. - - - and I pray your husband's oral surgery recovery is going well with no complications or unnecessary pain.

DJan said...

I have one of those burial flags sitting in its wooden triangle box, honoring my son Chris. I have never opened it. There are three spent shells folded inside the flag, symbolizing duty, honor, and country.

Barbara said...

Wonderful post, and we have our flags flying high today too, ours are small, but we have the prayer and the heart..Hugs Barbara

The Retired One said...

A super idea...these photos were stunning and touching at the same time.

Anonymous said...

Great idea. That last photo is stunning!

The W.O.W. factor! said...

Oh my! This made tears come to my eyes! Thanks for sharing!

Vodka Mom said...

I have always been proud to be a Navy brat. Thanks for this amazing post. xoxoxox

linda m said...

Thank you for sharing the pictures. The site of all those flags always makes me cry. One of our local cemeteries does something similar and has the Avenue of Flags and also a huge Memorial Day celebration honoring our fallen heroes. What a beautiful tribute and way of saying Thank You.

Smokey said...

A beautiful reminder of something we should never forget. Our freedom comes at a very high price.

CTG Ponies said...

What a wonderful tribute

Rae said...

What a beautiful and touching sight. Seeing all those flags waving proudly would give me goosebumps...just like hearing the National Anthem. I never get tired of it.

DayPhoto said...

Our VFW places flags all around the cemetery. Each flag has the miltary persona's name and rank and war. It is touching and awe inspiring.

Your Avenue is beautifulu.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Pamela said...

sweet sorrow.