Cadets place flags on graves of military members

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.-Ahead of Memorial Day, Warren County Public School cadets are paying their respects to fallen veterans. 

“I don’t wanna miss one. Not a single one,” said JROTC Cadet Executive Officer Titus Royl.

This is the first time the JROTC members, students at Greenwood High School, are honoring military members by placing a flag at every one of their graves. 

“We’re doing that 1,125 times,” said Senior Chief Phillip Stagner. 

The over 1,000 passed veterans fought in wars from Vietnam to Korea to World War II….and had connections to Bowling Green. 

They used string to make sure the flags were placed in a perfectly straight line. Each of the flags is placed 12 inches from the grave, symbolizing a boot that military members wear. 

“I always tell the cadets freedom isn’t free…someone paid the price for that on the battlefield,” said Stagner. 

And one day, it could be some of these JROTC members on the battlefield. 

“A lot of younger people don’t understand the sacrifice these brave men and women had to go through,” said Royl. 

The JROTC members say this weekend and Memorial Day gives them a lot to think about. 

“Looking at all these brave soldiers out here who have given their lives or fought, it pushes me forward knowing that these guys sacrificed so much and I need to push on that legacy and push forward and keep this country great,” said JROTC Cadet Commander Thomas Panzieri.