Alexandria VA welcomes community back for flag placement tradition
Community members showed up early Saturday morning at the Alexandria National Cemetery, 209 E. Shamrock St. in Pineville to honor those who died in service by placing flags on the 7,816 gravesites in preparation for the Memorial Day program on Monday.
For the last two years, flags were placed on the graves by VA staff as community members weren't able to participate in the tradition because of the pandemic.
"People have been waiting awhile to do this," said Terro Celestine, volunteer service specialist for the Alexandria Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, adding that the turnout was really good.
"People have been waiting awhile to do this," she said. "We're happy to be able to bring it back for the community."
Memorial Day ceremony, flag placement resume at Alexandria National Cemetery
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VA staff used social media and contacted various veterans organizations to let them know that the community was once again invited to participate in the flag placement.
Through the years, Theresa Ruffin, an Army and Operation Enduring Freedom veteran who served for five years, would bring her two daughters off and on through the years to help place the flags.
"This is something I instilled in my kids to do," she said. One of her daughters was with her. "It's an honor. We participate as often as we can."
National Guard Chaplin Travis Milner, who is also with CHRISTUS Hospice St. Frances Cabrini, was dressed in uniform as he and others from the hospice, like Faith Sanders, volunteer coordinator and veterans director, placed flags on the graves.
Celestine thanked everyone who came out for their support and participation.
"We always want to honor our soldiers but we want to honor those who have fallen in the line of duty," said Celestine.
The Department of Veterans Affairs will host an in-person Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday at the Alexandria National Cemetery, 209 E. Shamrock St. in Pineville. La. State. Rep. Mike Johnson, District 27, as the guest speaker. Memorial wreaths will be placed by local veterans organizations in recognization of each military branch.
Seating will be available, but those attending are encouraged to bring their own chairs.
In the event of bad weather, the ceremony will be held in the Alexandria VA Medical Center's Auditorium, Building 8, located at 2495 Shreveport Highway, Pineville. To confirm, contact the Alexandria VA operators at (318) 473-0010.
In addition to the formal ceremonies across the nation, Americans are asked to participate in a National Moment of Remembrance by pausing for one minute wherever they are at 3 p.m. to remember and honor those who died in service to our country.
The flags will remain on the graves for a week. At 8 a.m. Saturday, June 4, the public is invited to help remove the flags.
For more information, call the Alexandria VA Medical Center, Voluntary Service, at (318) 466-2708/2061.
This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Alexandria VA welcomes community back for flag placement tradition
