"The Avenue of Flags"

In 1987, after many hours of discussion, planning and contacts, we finally decided to go forward with our plans of “The Avenue of Flags.” Our next move was to present the plan to the Lind American Legion and Legion Auxiliary for their sponsorship and support. The next move was to contact the Lind Town Council for approval to put flag holders in the ground. Everything was approved, so our next move was to go forward...

We contacted many families of veterans explaining to them our plan. We asked them to donate their Veteran's Casket Flag and purchase a pole. We supply each pole a brass name tag with the veteran’s name, branch of service, which war and the years served. By Memorial Day 1988 we were so proud we had collected 37 flags which went around the main road in the cemetery from gate to gate. We held a dedication ceremony at early morning with roll call of each veteran we had a flag for. Rev. Floyd Emerson gave the morning service and prayer. The Honor Guard from Moses Lake Air National Guard gave a 21-gun-salute and Eric Kelsey played taps. For the Centennial celebration we displayed the flags each day for one week, putting up at daybreak and taking down at sunset. The school donated a bus for us to use. We have some very unique flags: we have a father and son on one tag, a British flag and flags donated by local organizations for veterans who no longer had families we could locate.

Our dream grew from 37 flags to a present day 68 flags. We have started our second time around, including the inner circle of the cemetery.

We are very proud of our project and how it has grown. We hope each person who sees it, mostly families of our beloved veterans, feels the pride in this project. We thank each and everyone who has helped to make this project such a success. God Bless our Veterans and God Bless America.
                                                                                                                                                                                Vic & Jackie Pouley

Update:  Vic and Jackie, the organizers of the flag program, have moved to Kennewick, WA. Upon moving Vic asked the Lions Club if they would become the organization to continue the flag program. The community would like to thank Vic and Jackie for their years of organizing the cemetery flag program....it takes a lot of work and organizational skills.

Year 2006, the Lions Club has placed the flags at the cemetery and we want to thank them for taking over this project, along with all their other projects during the year. Thanks, guys!! We also want to thank those Lind citizens who volunteered their time to place the flags up and to take them down the evening of Memorial Day. A community working together is wonderful!

This photo was taken about noon on May 27, 2006 and what a beautiful site, with the flags and the dark clouds. Thanks to Carol Kelly. And many thanks, also, to Howard Heil for his maintenance of the cemetery. Great job, Howard!

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Sharon Englehart, Webmaster
Updated June 1, 2006