Volunteers help with Memorial Day project at cemetery; annual ceremony scheduled for Monday morning at courthouse
By Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan
Dozens of volunteers showed up bright and early Saturday morning to help place flags on the graves of local military veterans for the Memorial Day holiday.
Breckenridge Scout leader Matt Wunsch, center, chats with Arthur and Linda Estrada as they all volunteer to place flags on the graves of veterans buried in the Breckenridge Cemetery. The annual projects honors the veterans for Memorial Day. (Photo by Nathalie Wilhite)
They joined retired U.S. Navy veteran Jim Merson and retired U.S. Marine Les Strickland, who is also the recently appointed Stephens County Veterans Service Officer, in the annual project at the Breckenridge Cemetery.
“Awesome, as good (of a turn out) as we’ve ever had,” Merson said. “The crowd looks a little younger, and that’s great to see.”
Because there were so many volunteers, including a local Scout troop as well as long-time volunteers, they had most of the flags placed in about 45 minutes.
“I appreciate every person who came out,” Strickland said.
They plan to pick up the flags at 5 p.m. Monday, May 29, and will appreciate any volunteers who can help with that activity as well, Merson said.
On Monday morning, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7767 Auxiliary will hold their annual Memorial Day service at 10 a.m. at the Stephens County Veterans Monument on west end of the courthouse lawn.
During the service, the names of the veterans whose names were added to the monument this year will be read. After the service, the VFW hold their annual fundraiser, selling chicken halves and sausage-on-a-stick in front of the courthouse.
To see more photos from Saturday’s flag project, click here for the Breckenridge Texan’s Photo Gallery.
Magdalynn Wunsch, a member of Breckenridge Scouts BSA Girls Troop 72, punches a hole in the ground to make it easier to post a flag on the grave of a U.S. military veteran buried in Breckenridge Cemetery. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Amélie Wilhite, a member of Scouts BSA Troop 72, places flowers on the tombstone of a veteran, after she finished placing all of her flags on Saturday morning. (Photo by Nathalie Wilhite)
Karen Chakerian of Breckenridge helps honor local veterans by volunteering to place flags on their graves in the Breckenridge Cemetery on Saturday morning. Memorial Day activities will continue on Monday morning with the annual VFW ceremony on the Stephens County Courthouse lawn. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Cutline, top photo: Jack Sperry of Breckenridge looks for veterans’ graves in the Breckenridge Ceremony on Saturday morning. He and other volunteers joined Jim Merson and Les Strickland in the project to honor the veterans for Memorial Day. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
