Breckenridge Texan

Two retired U.S. military veterans are seeking help to place American flags on the graves of veterans buried in the Breckenridge Cemetery next Saturday.

Les Strickland, the recently appointed Stephens County Veterans Service Officer and a retired U.S. Marine, will be joining retired U.S. Navy veteran Jim Merson at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 27, in putting out the flags for the Memorial Day weekend. Merson has been heading up the project for more than 10 years, and Strickland and his wife, Sherry, have often showed up as volunteers.

There are about 900 veterans buried in Breckenridge Cemetery, and most years 30 or more volunteers gather to help place a flag on each of their graves to honor their service to the country. The project takes about 90 minutes, depending on how many volunteers show up. Then, on Tuesday, Strickland and Merson will be back at the cemetery to remove the flags to be used again next year, and they’ll appreciate any volunteer help then, as well.

Many times, the ground at the cemetery is dry, making it a little difficult to post the flags in the ground. Merson has steel “hole punchers” fashioned from rebar that — with a little effort — can make a place for the wooden flag sticks to go. Experienced volunteers often bring their own cordless power tools to actually drill holes into the rock-hard soil.

To assist with the project, just show up at the Breckenridge Cemetery, 1301 E. Elliott St., at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 27. Strickland and Merson will be happy to have your help.

Cutline, top photo: Jim Merson talks with Les and Sherry Strickland as they prepare to help place flags on the graves of veterans in the Breckenridge Cemetery a few years ago. This year, Merson and Les Strickland are working together on the project and are seeking volunteers to help put out the flags on Saturday, May 27. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)