Volunteers install Avenue of the Flags

The Avenue of Flags was put up at the Woodville Cemetery the afternoon of Tuesday, May 19. Various groups contributed to the project: the Sons of the American Legion (SAL), the American Legion Riders (ALR), and the American Legion Auxiliary. Close to 20 people volunteered to put up a total of well over 200 flags at Woodville and Calvary cemeteries. An online source defines an Avenue of Flags as “a patriotic community service initiative that honors veterans, supports national pride, and strengthens community bonds through the display of the U.S. flag on designated holidays.”

 

Kevin Dickie, leader of the Waseca Area Memorial Day Committee, positioned a slowly rolling trailer along the cemetery roadways. As flags were posted, the trailer moved forward. Once all parts of the posts are in place, flag poles are around 20 feet high, with some of that height in the ground. Volunteers removed the rolled and stacked flags from the trailer, unrolled them, and set the top part of the poles in place. True to flag etiquette, workers were careful not to let the flags touch the ground. Dickie had set the bottom section for each pole earlier in the day–173 at Woodville and 76 at Calvary. 

 

Volunteers recalled 2024, when a storm damaged about 18 poles at Woodville and 26 at Calvary. “Through donations and elbow grease we were able to replace them,” said Dickie.

 

Former Memorial Day Committee leader Grant Whissemore assisted with the evening’s work, saying he was happy to be of help. Brad Schnepf was also there, dressed in his motorcycle leather. He said, “I’m from the American Legion Riders, this is my first year helping out, but cut me some slack, I just joined and I plan on staying.”

 

Dickie approached the crowd and explained the finer points of flag installation, “Keep in mind these poles can be heavy. If you need help, just let us know.” The truck with the trailer began moving slowly forward in the direction of Clear Lake. Each person began lifting poles and setting them in their mounts. Each flag is marked with a small plaque which volunteers positioned facing the road. Plaques indicate either who donated the funds to purchase the flag, or the name of a veteran in whose honor it was acquired.