The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Flags placed on graves of veterans
Tradition focuses on significance, history of Memorial Day
John Perry knew his 6-year-old grandson, Wyatt, had his last day of school this week, so on May 24, he decided to continue the young man’s education at Western Reserve Memorial Gardens in Chester Township.
Perry was joined at the cemetery by six other members of the Palmer-Roberts American Legion Post 214, located in Willoughby, as the group roamed the grounds placing American flags at the gravesites of veterans and their spouses, explaining to Wyatt why they were there that day.
“It’s his first day out of school, so we put him to work,” Perry said, smiling. “It’s his fist time out, and it’s important he knows the significance and history of Memorial Day. And he’s been happy to help. He even put flags in vases in the mausoleum.
“There weren’t many people out here today, but it went well.
A lot of groups frequently head to All Souls Cemetery (in Chardon Township), but the honor is still there.”
During the day, the group placed or replaced over 1,000 flags, donated by Lake County, in addition to a supply provided by PalmerRoberts.
“We’ve been coming out to different places for longer than I can remember,” said Joe Eckenrode, the post’s finance officer. “And this cemetery isn’t that old, so it’s special.”
The 40-acre Western Reserve Memorial Gardens was established in 1963. An expansive section at the back of the grounds, dedicated to veterans and their spouses, stands out to visitors, signified by a tower adorned with a trio of descending bells.
Another first-timer at Western Reserve was Dianne Woerner, second vice president in the auxiliary.
“I always had to work before,” she said. “But this act is very humbling and honorable. I’m so happy to be part of it.”
Auxiliary President Sue Fratino fondly remembers the first time she came out with the group, walking with then-President Louise “LuLu” Cichon and nowPost Adjutant Jim Trettin.
“I wasn’t a member of the auxiliary at the time,” Fratino said. “I was asked by
LuLu if I was going to attend a meeting and I said I couldn’t because I wasn’t a member. Jim then asked if my father was a veteran and I told him he was, that he was with the National Guard. He asked me to get him my dad’s paperwork, and after that, because of
Jim, I became a member. All because I had come then and helped put flags on the graves.”
The military pedigree of post member Domenic Federico’s family not only compels him to participate every year, but also serves as an honor he feels proud to share with veterans and civilians alike.
“My dad was a World War II vet, my uncle was a Korean War vet, I served in the Vietnam era and my cousin served in Iraq during Desert Storm,” Federico said, adding his wife also served in the armed forces as a member of the U.S. Army.
Trettin said Palmer-Roberts American Legion Post 214 was, and is, happy to have Fratino, and that the shared support of individual veterans, and veterans groups, no matter where, continues to be demonstrated in multiple communities.
“We’re a family and it is important that we do not forget the sacrifices of our military service members. By placing the flags on their graves, we honor those who have served and the families of those who have served.”