For several years, thousands of volunteers have placed small American Flags on the gravesides and columbaria at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona (NMCA). This year the nonprofit Honoring America’s Veterans will host the flag placement and retrieval ceremonies.
In speaking with NMCA Randy Heard, HAV learned it would be best for the cemetery caretakers to continue to do their preparations for the Monday Memorial Day event rather than stopping to work on flag placements. Understanding the importance of the Memorial Day event, which takes place at 7:30 a.m. on May 29, HAV offered to assist.
“Our non-profit hopes to continue to expand our services to honor and recognize veterans in our state,” said HAV President Brian Ishmael. “Assisting with both the placement and retrieval of the flags is something that clearly falls within our mission. We’re hoping to host the placement event the Saturday before Memorial Day, and the retrieval event the following Saturday will ensure we can lend a hand,” he added.
“The cemetery covers 225 acres total, 150 of which is developed. Our grounds hold more than 90,000 servicemembers, veterans, and eligible family members,” said Heard. “It’s important that on days, especially Memorial Day, we can offer something special to continue paying our respects,” he added.
HAV is creating a signup sheet for volunteers to ensure there are enough supporters on hand for both events.
The VA cemetery in Phoenix differs from most other cemeteries as it has acres of dirt, rather than grass, covering the area. The dirt gets hardened over the year, so volunteers must first create a hole in the ground with a mallet and nail to place a flag. Then the miniature American Flags are placed within the holes to adorn the entire area.
For the Flag Placement activity, you can register online. Event details are as follows:
- 7:30 a.m.
- Saturday, May 27
- National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona located at 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024
For the Flag Retrieval activity, you can register online. Event details are as follows:
- 7:30 a.m.
- Saturday, June 3
- National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona located at 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024
Volunteers can bring family members, friends, colleagues, and organizations can sign up to support both activities. Although HAV asks volunteers to bring drinking water, they will also supply some. There is no need for flags, as the VA has tens of thousands of flags to cover the cemetery area.
To signup, go online to https://honoringamericasveterans.org/volunteer.
