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1,600 flags

| 06 May 2015 | 02:24
    WARWICK þÄì On Saturday, May 2, volunteers from WarwickþÄôs American Legion Post 214 and Boy Scout Troop 45 began placing over 1600 flags at the local gravesites of veterans throughout the area.
    WARWICK þÄì On Saturday, May 2, volunteers from WarwickþÄôs American Legion Post 214 and Boy Scout Troop 45 began placing over 1600 flags at the local gravesites of veterans throughout the area.
    American Legion Post 214 past Commander John Woloszczak places a flag at a gravesite in Warwick Cemetery.
    American Legion Post 214 past Commander John Woloszczak places a flag at a gravesite in Warwick Cemetery.
    World War II Navy veteran Ed Hodas, assisted by Second Vice Commander Laura Smykla, again chaired the operation for American Legion Post 214þÄôs Flag Placement Committee.
    World War II Navy veteran Ed Hodas, assisted by Second Vice Commander Laura Smykla, again chaired the operation for American Legion Post 214þÄôs Flag Placement Committee.
    A group of Troop 45 scouts and some parents and Troop leaders served as volunteers. From left, Sean Gaynor, William Douglas and Julius Radakovits.
    A group of Troop 45 scouts and some parents and Troop leaders served as volunteers. From left, Sean Gaynor, William Douglas and Julius Radakovits.

WARWICK — On Saturday, May 2, volunteers from Warwick's American Legion Post 214 and Boy Scout Troop 45 began placing more than 1,600 flags at the local grave sites of veterans throughout the area.

The arduous task in Warwick and St. Stephen's cemeteries, along with many smaller and private cemeteries within the Town of Warwick, was in preparation for upcoming Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday, May 25.

World War II Navy veteran Ed Hodas, assisted by Second Vice Commander Laura Smykla, again chaired the operation for American Legion Post 214's Flag Placement Committee. And a group of approximately 25 scouts and some parents and Troop leaders served as volunteers.

"Since the scouts joined us and started doing most of the walking and climbing, it's been a big help to us old guys," said Hodas. "I've been doing this for over 21 years."

Hodas actually retired from his chairmanship last year but then, because of his long experience, was asked to take the job again.

'We are old'During Memorial Day ceremonies in 2006, American Legion Post 214 Commander at that time, Walter Parkinson, mentioned the importance of placing flags on the graves of our veterans.

"You may have noticed," he told an audience of youngsters at that time, "we are old. Someday, you will have to carry on for us."

The following year, in response to that challenge, the members of Boy Scout Troop 45 offered to join the veterans in placing the flags. And since then, Troop 45 Scouts accompanied by some parents and Troop Leaders, have been present and willing to make sure that every veteran's grave in Warwick is identified by an American Flag.

Essential informationIf anyone knows of a veteran whose grave site at St. Stephen's, Warwick or any local cemetery did not receive a flag, they are asked to call Ed Hodas at 986-3029.

- Roger Gavan