In Maine, municipalities are responsible for maintaining and mowing all veteran’s graves and are required by law to place a flag and holder on each veteran’s grave on Memorial Day. Locally, VFW Post 5477 coordinates the placing of flags on graves each Memorial Day.

The VFW is currently working on a project to purchase flag holders for each and every veteran’s grave to assure that each veteran is honored and to help make cemetery maintenance easier. The Town has traditionally budgeted $400 toward the purchase of the flags and flag holders. At the last Town Council meeting Malcolm Kenney, on behalf of the VFW, requested $1100 from the Town toward the purchase of flags and flag holders. The request was tabled, since Town Councilors had been approached by citizens who were interested in making private donations toward this effort. In this difficult budget year for the town, individuals can honor our veterans by donating directly to the VFW’s Memorial Cemetery Fund to help with the purchase of flag holders and flags.

Mal Kenney says the Post has an ongoing effort to locate every veteran’s grave in the many cemeteries that dot our area. He also says that in the past few years brass flag holders have been stolen and need to be replaced. The VFW will be purchasing plastic flag holders that will be less likely to be stolen. Mr. Kenney notes that the Memorial Day observance and respectful maintenance of veterans’ graves is very important to veterans’ families.

You can help honor those who have served and sacrificed for our country by donating to the VFW’s memorial cemetery fund as soon as possible. Mr. Kenney will be updating the Town Council as to the progress of the fundraising effort at the next council meeting.

Checks should be made payable to VFW Post 5744 and noted “Memorial Cemetery Fund” so they can be placed in the dedicated account. Checks should be sent to VFW POST 5744, 16 Butler St, South Berwick, ME 03908