SOUTHBOROUGH – Members of the community gathered at Southborough Rural Cemetery on Friday evening to replace flags on veterans’ graves.
Each year before Memorial Day, American Legion Post 161, VFW Post 3276, veterans and local reconnaissance troops gather to participate in this tradition.
According to the commander of American Legion Post 161, Dan Kolenda, more than 900 veterans are buried in the cemetery.
“We make sure they are all properly respected with a new flag every year,” Kolenda told the Community Advocate on Friday.
As he described, replacing the flags is a way to remember and honor veterans.
“They have earned the right to have the flag on their grave and to have it displayed properly,” Kolenda said. “It’s a great opportunity, I think, to educate our young citizens about the importance of Memorial Day and to remember those who have fallen in the line of battle.”
Friday’s flag change marked the start of Memorial Day celebrations in Southborough this weekend.
Community members will meet again on Monday for the town’s annual meeting Remembrance Day Parade.
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