Bunker Hill Flags

The flags were changed yesterday at Bunker Hill.  The tradition continues, Howard said yesterday “I will go on until I cannot, I know it sure helped me so my hope it that it helps other Veterans too.”

The view from Bunker Hill looking over the prairie.  There was smoke from the wildfires in the air enough so that it blotted out the sun.

The flags were collected and fresh ones put up one by one.  Some of the Veterans are getting older and it was windy.

Uncle Archie saluting the POW MIA Flag.

My cousin Scott’s daughter Bailey read one of her original poems about a Veteran.  Bailey is involved with the BentProp Project which tries to return the remains of Missing In Action Veterans to family.

The new flags will fly on Bunker Hill until next August.

The old flags were burned properly as indicated by flag disposal rules.

There were many old people in attendance.  There was a people mover and several golf carts that moved people up and down the hill.  We took a ride up but walked back down again.  Trudy serves a picnic after the “doings” but we didn’t stay.

Although Howard is a Marine and a Vietnam Veteran, Bunker Hill honors all branches of The Armed Forces and all the Wars/Conflicts.

Changing the Flags

We have been going to the changing of the flags since 2008, I first wrote about it that year.

One Man’s Dream

In 2009 I called the blog post

Bunker Hill

In 2010 my Dad helped raise the Army Flag

Vietnam Memorial on the Prairie

In 2011 my Dad lowered the Army Flag

The Flags of August

In 2012 Far Guy raised the Air Force Flag

War Memorial

In 2013  Far Guy lowered the Air Force Flag

Bunker Hill

Yesterday was the day.  The flags would be changed again.

The Marine Color Guard group called Star of the North giving the rifle salute.

Far Guy and his Uncle Archie lowered the old Air Force Flag and raised the new one.  It was a cool cloudy day with rain threatening.  So what if we got wet…soldiers through the years have been wet, cold and tired ..so what is a little rain.  I am not sweet enough to melt.

 

Between these two men they have over 50 years of service.

During the ceremony one of the Marines became ill. A couple of nurses in the crowd took care of him.  He is going to be okay.

Carsonville Fire and Rescue was on the way.

Bunker Hill sits up on a hill and you can see for miles.

The flags were burned this year, last year it was to windy to burn them.

Once again Trudy prepared a wonderful lunch…you name it and it was there homemade buns with turkey, ham or hot turkey, pasta salads, baked beans, cole slaw, fruit salads and desserts…every kind of cake imaginable.

We met new friends Lani and Connie from Laporte there, they are new to the area and Lani is a Vietnam Vet. Lani said the ceremony brought some old feelings to the surface…not all good ones.

Those memories of war is what built this memorial on Bunker Hill, something good that came out of bad memories of young men in a horrid war.

We should never forget.

Bunker Hill

Yesterday  the flags were changed out at Bunker Hill.  Bunker Hill is a Vietnam Memorial that was dreamt of and started by a Marine who did a tour in Vietnam.

Bunker Hill overlooks the prairie.  The day was hot but the gale force winds from the south made the day bearable. 

Far Guy and another fellow that served in the Air Force took down the Air Force flag.

Uncle Archie and another fellow put up the new Air Force flag.

One by on the flags were changed out.  Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, POW ~ MIA and the American flag.

There are still about 2,000 soldiers that have not been accounted for in Vietnam.  It seems that most of them have been forgotten by the government, but not by the soldiers that served with them, or their families. 

I cannot imagine the not knowing, the wondering what happened to a family member…it must be almost too much to bear.

The flags were not burned today, it was too windy.  They will be properly disposed of when the wind dies down.

Many thanks to Howard and Trudy who invite the public to share this day with them.  Trudy cooks for days and a picnic lunch was served after the ceremony:)

War Memorial

Yesterday was the changing of the flags up on Bunker Hill up on the edge of the prairie.

This year Far Guy was asked to assist with the Air Force flag.

That is him in the red shirt.  The Coast Guard Guys are in the way.

My baby brother and his wife were able to attend..he was in the Navy.  All of our “neighborhood” showed up along with Andy, Jen and the grand boys.

The bunker on Bunker Hill. 

The flags were disposed of properly.

It was a thought filled day up on Bunker Hill..remembering all the Veterans the ones that returned and the ones that didn’t:(

Bunker Hill

Saturday was the changing of the flags at Bunker Hill. Five and a half years ago, Bunker Hill was just a farm yard, on the edge of the prairie. Now it is a destination.. a place to stop and reflect and remember. Howard was in Vietnam, he built Bunker Hill because he could never forget, it was his way of saying "thank you" to those that served beside him, a way of remembering those who came home changed forever, and those whom would never return. All Veterans who served their country are honored on a hillside in the boonies of Minnesota in August. Friends and Neighbors come together to show support for one man with a dream who couldn't forget..who reminds us that we shouldn't forget either.

The flags are changed out, one by one. New ones unfurling in the gentle breeze..to begin their 364 day watch. The flags are lit at night, and you are welcome to just sit a spell and quietly remember anytime what ever the weather.

This is where I found the grenade..hopefully a dud:)