It was a perfect sunny morning at the Burr Oak Cemetery to hold the annual Memorial Day Service and to view the 131 American Flags that make up the Avenue of Flags in honor of the deceased local veterans.

The Emory Clemons Unit 263, American Legion served as the guards, and marched in presenting the colors, near the cemetery's Memorial Monument, at the west side of the cemetery. Members of the Emory Clemons Unit 263 Auxiliary stood near the Memorial Monument. Six of the Auxiliary Junior members, Kayle Wagner, Bella Volker, Miley Havens, Brynlee Manning, Meili Ost and Gracen Harris raised the American Flag and then led the audience in giving the Flag Salute.

Renita Volker, auxiliary president, gave the welcome. Daisy Tucker, auxiliary chaplin, led in prayer. Wreaths were laid at the base of the memorial monument to honor the living veterans, and to those veterans who have died. Placing the wreaths were Brynlee Manning and Meili Ost.

Bella Volker was the speaker, telling of the meaning of the Avenue of Flags, and that the idea was first carried out by the Burr Oak PRIDE organization years ago. She told of how the flags are set out early Memorial Day by volunteers and most of the same volunteers return in the late afternoon to take the flags down and store them. Each flag pole has a metal name tag placed on it. Each flag is labeled with the name of the veteran on it, and the flag is placed on the appointed flag pole by the volunteers. The flags are only flown on Memorial Day, as flag etiquette is respected in not allowing the flags to be flown at night without lights shining upon the flags.

When the flags show wear, they are replaced. There are still a few American flags included in the Avenue of Flags that have 48 stars, but most have been replaced through the years. When trying to keep the flags in good condition, there has to be decisions made such as if the weather is extra windy or rainy, then a decision is made Memorial Day early morning if the flags should be flown or not. Donated funds are welcomed in providing flag replacement and may be given to a legion or auxiliary member.

Thanks were given to the Montgomery-Morris family for providing the sound system every year for the service.

Avenue of Flags at the Burr Oak Cemetery, each flag honors a deceased local veteran.

The American Legion guards gave a salute to the veterans no longer with us. Taps was played, followed by the Taps echo. Then there was the retirement of colors.