Remembering those who served: Thousands of flags placed on vets' graves

BOURNE — Amid a sea of red, white and blue, more than a thousand people gathered Saturday at the Massachusetts National Cemetery to take part in honoring veterans and those made the ultimate sacrifice.

On hand were families of fallen soldiers, volunteers, Scouts of all descriptions and motorcycle clubs, all waiting to pay their respects. Despite the morning dew, warmth shone from faces, as they chatted despite the somber matter at hand.

They were part of Operation Flags for Vets, an effort to place an American flag on every gravestone in the cemetery. The event was sponsored by the SFC Jared C. Monti Charitable Foundation. According to organizers, around 1,500 volunteers showed up.

More than 77,000 flags were placed at graves, each person grabbing bundles of 12 flags.

More: Memorial Day weekend forecast for Cape Cod: Super or party pooper?

“I’m always amazed at how many people come, it’s just another way to honor them, even though it’s cold and rainy...it’s my little way of giving back,” said Susan Valdez, whose parents are buried at the cemetery.

Her father, Robert Metcalf, was a master sergeant in the Army and served during World War II. Because of her father’s service, Valdez’s family moved around a lot, and growing up she lived in Turkey and Germany.

The day started with a ceremony on the central lawn. One of the first speakers was Lt. Amanda Braga Tipton, a chaplain with the United States Army Reserves.

Opinion: Stop for a Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day

In what seemed to be a reference to the mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, Tipton talked about confronting enemies on the battlefield but spoke of a more wicked enemy that "infiltrates our minds" and inspires us to commit unspeakable acts.

She spoke of the late Gen. George S. Patton, whose Third Army swept through France and Germany during the Second World War to help put an end to Adolf Hitler's Third Reich.

Patton, a flamboyant figure was often profane, but also someone who knelt in prayer.

She then quoted Patton, saying “Urge all your men to pray, not in church, but everywhere. Pray when driving. Pray when fighting. Pray alone.”

She said that 13,000 soldiers from Massachusetts alone fell so that we could stand right now.

Tipton then led the audience in prayer, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Boy and Girl Scouts. A teenage soloist sang the national anthem.

A volunteer from each branch of the armed forces was asked to come up and place a flag on a monument in the cemetery, bearing the insignias of each branch  of the armed forces. At the sound of a trumpet player, some began to shed tears.

'Our eternal gratitude': Cape Cod Memorial Day observances honor those who served

After a poem about remembering the fallen was read, with the audience echoing the speaker every time the words “we remember them,” were spoken, the volunteers scattered throughout the cemetery, grabbing bundles of flags on a mission to make sure no fallen soldier or family member was forgotten.

Russ Salter, a veteran of the Coast Guard, said he has been coming to this event for the past 15 years. He even built his own stick, which helped create holes in the soil in which to to place flags. Salter served from 1966 to 1972 and spent most of his service on Cape Cod. His ship route was from Chatham Station to Provincetown, and then to Sandwich station, and Woods Hole, he said.

“It's good to show your respect to the soldiers that died, and who didn’t die, those are the ones that put the flags in,” he said.

One volunteer was 18-year-old Daniel Emerson, who recently completed basic training for the Air Force. Emerson joined the Air Force in part because his father and two older brothers also served.

More: Centuries-old town of Chatham gets new monument commemorating the Revolutionary War

“I already kind of know the lifestyle, and now I just want to gain the benefits myself, the knowledge, the skills,” he said.

Even though Lt. Tipton had a busy day, she still had enough energy to go around placing flags on the graves. She said she became a chaplain because she felt a calling.

Growing up in a military family, Tipton saw the effect that war could have on a person’s emotional and mental state. She said practices like prayer and meditation are helpful for all people, but especially those who serve.

“If there's anything I can do to help one, then it's worth it,” she said.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Operation Flags for Vets volunteers perform Memorial Day honors