When a veteran dies, the United States government presents a 9 1/2 ft. x 5 ft. American flag to the veterans family. Because of the size of the flags, most families are unable to properly display the flag. Therefore the flags usually end up in the back of closets, in dresser drawers, or even discarded. There are literally thousands of these "Burial Flags" just waiting to be used for a meaningful p
roject. The Memorial Salute of Flags intends to collect flags year round and to fly them on selected days throughout the year. The flags will be flown prior to and just after Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Veterans Day. The initial display of flags contained 320 flags. The flags are put up in the downtown area and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Ave. bridges. Each flag is identified with the veteran's name and will be safe-guarded by the Memorial Salute of Flags committee. The oldest flag presented to the committee to date came from a family of a veteran killed in 1918. The oldest war represented in the collection is the Spanish American War. The committee has received flags from as far away as South Dakota, Colorado, and Arkansas. Flag Donation Information
Flags may be left at the Teahen Funeral Home, 3100 F Ave. When you donate your flag you will be asked to fill out a form which lists your name and address, the veteran's name, rank, branch of service, date of enlistment, and date of death. Besides flags, volunteers and financial help to defray expenses of insurance and labor would be appreciated.
