Volunteers plant 5,400 flags at veterans’ gravesites

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Scores of volunteers showed up at the veterans cemetery in northeast Grand Rapids Wednesday evening to honor those who served.

Scouts and community volunteers were on hand to plant more than 5,400 American flags at the gravesites of veterans. The cemetery off Monroe Avenue NE is next to Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids.

Volunteers enjoyed hotdogs and refreshments before spreading out across the nearly 12-acre cemetery to place flags.

“As we go into Memorial Day weekend, it’s a special event here for Michigan Veteran Homes and all that reside and work and volunteer here,” Ryan Engle, director of development and strategic engagement for Michigan Veteran Homes, said. “But it’s a special event for the community as well. It’s an opportunity to step back and think about and reflect on those that made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.”

Engle said it took about 30 minutes to plant all the flags.

“We have a lot of committed Scouts out here that plant the flags, and a lot of dedicated community members,” he said.

The event concluded with a final salute and a performance of Taps.

The West Michigan Chapter of the Michigan State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution presented the colors.

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