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Williamsburg Community Honors Veterans with Flag-Setting Event

Community members honor veterans in Williamsburg by placing flags on their graves.

News Summary

The Williamsburg community came together to honor local veterans in an annual flag-setting event at Cedar Grove Cemetery ahead of Memorial Day. Over 50 community groups and numerous volunteers participated, placing American flags on the gravestones of veterans who served in various conflicts. The event, which has grown significantly over the past two decades, includes honoring unmarked graves, showcasing the community’s dedication to remembering all veterans. Local organizations, including the Daughters of the American Revolution, contributed significantly, reinforcing the importance of this cherished tradition.

Williamsburg – The community of Williamsburg came together to honor local veterans by participating in an annual flag-setting event at Cedar Grove Cemetery ahead of Memorial Day. Volunteers, including community groups and residents, placed American flags on the gravestones of veterans to pay tribute to their service and sacrifice.

Cedar Grove Cemetery is the resting place for over 600 veterans, encompassing individuals who served in conflicts ranging from the Civil War to the modern-day operations in Afghanistan. The annual flag placement tradition has seen significant growth over the past two decades, expanding from a modest gathering to a substantial community event.

Initially, the flag-setting was a small affair organized by just four members of the Disabled American Veterans Patrick Henry Chapter, who managed to place around 300 flags on veterans’ graves. In recent years, the event has attracted between 45 and 100 volunteers, illustrating the deepening commitment within the community to honor its fallen heroes.

More than 50 community groups, including well-known organizations such as the Rotary Club of James City County and the Salvation Army of Williamsburg, joined forces for this year’s event. The Williamsburg Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, founded in 1925, marked its 100th anniversary and also contributed to this year’s flag placement.

The flag-setting event is inclusive, with volunteers also placing flags at unmarked veterans’ graves to ensure that every service member is adequately honored, regardless of their burial circumstances. This dedication highlights the community’s commitment to remember and recognize the contributions of all veterans.

The event began at 9 a.m., with a public invitation extended to residents to participate. Organizers emphasized that all necessary materials for the flag placement were provided, allowing community members to engage easily in this respectful and meaningful tribute.

Members of the community expressed pride in coming together for such a significant purpose, connecting with the local history and highlighting the importance of maintaining historical graves. Douglas Cook, a member of the Cedar Grove Historical Society, noted the initiative’s role in commemorating not only soldiers from various wars but also local figures, including Williamsburg’s first Black magistrate. Such efforts foster a deeper pride and connection to the community’s rich history.

In sharing the responsibility of honoring veterans, volunteers from diverse backgrounds gathered united in remembrance. Capt. Katie Bernabe of the Williamsburg Salvation Army described participation in the memorial activities as both an honor and a privilege, demonstrating the community’s collective respect for those who served their nation.

The flag-setting event has become a cherished tradition in Williamsburg, merging community spirit with gratitude and respect for veterans who have shaped the nation’s history. As community members unite each year to perform this act of homage, the collective memory of service and sacrifice remains vibrant, ensuring that those who served are never forgotten.