Thousands of American flags once again line the graves of veterans at Saint John’s Cemetery as community volunteers gather for an annual Memorial Day tradition honoring military service members buried in Worcester.
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and several local veterans and civic organizations hold their seventh annual flag placement event Wednesday morning, May 20, at the Cambridge Street cemetery, where more than 165 volunteers are expected to place over 5,000 flags on veterans’ graves ahead of Memorial Day.
The event begins at 9 a.m. with a ceremony featuring the national anthem, posting of the colors, remarks from local officials and a blessing of the flags, according to an announcement from the sheriff’s office. Volunteers from the Worcester County Reserve Deputy Sheriff’s Association, East Side Post 201 of the American Legion, Main South Post 341, the Civil Air Patrol and the Blue Star Mothers of America are participating.
The annual observance has become one of several large-scale community efforts across Central Massachusetts leading into Memorial Day, as organizations and volunteers prepare cemeteries and memorial sites to recognize veterans and military families.
“Our Annual Flag Day event continues to inspire me year after year,” Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis said in the announcement. “The incredible support from our community is a powerful reflection of the patriotism and respect for service members that runs deep throughout Worcester County.”
“Seeing thousands of flags displayed across the cemetery serves as a moving tribute to the men and women who served our nation,” Evangelidis said.
Following the flag placement, volunteers return to the main staging area for lunch provided by Mercadante Funeral Home owner Kevin Mercadante, according to the announcement.
Organizers said the event is supported by a wide range of local businesses, unions, nonprofits and community donors, including Rockland Trust Bank, Diamond Auto Group, The Overlook, CareOne Millbury, Quality Companies and the Cliff & Susan Rucker Foundation, among others.
Charlene Arsenault can be reached at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
