|
In 1996, The
Coast Guard Reservist magazine published a two-part series “Coast Guard Monuments
Across the USA.” That series prompted a visit by some Coast Guardsmen to
Arlington National Cemetery’s Coast Guard Hill the following Memorial Day.
They noticed that the Army places American flags on all the graves at
Arlington every Memorial Day. The Coast Guardsmen came up with an idea —
why not place Coast Guard flags on the Coast Guard graves at Arlington on
Veterans Day, and perhaps Coast Guard Day too?
The idea came to life for Veterans Day 1999 when the Washington, D.C.
Chapter of the Chief Petty Officers Association sponsored the placing of
USCG flags on the graves of Coast Guardsmen buried at Arlington as well
seven flags at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall for the seven Coast
Guardsmen on the Wall.
Now, with many successful Veterans Day events under its belt, the Chiefs
of the DC CPOA invite the rest of the Coast Guard across the nation to
join them. Since January 2001, more than 86 USCG Flags Across America
chapters in 36 states have sprung up to work on this worthy project. All
it takes is some research to find out where Coast Guard personnel are
buried in your local area (private and/or military cemeteries), some
fundraising to buy the flags, and some enthusiastic volunteers with Honor,
Respect and Devotion to Duty!
If you’re interested in becoming a “USCG Flag Volunteer” in your local
area, contact CWO Ed Kruska , Washington, D.C. Chapter, CPOA, Commandant
(G-WTR-2), 2100 Second Street, SW, Room 5100, Washington, D.C. 20593;
Voice: 202-267-1991; E-mail:
uscgflags@yahoo.com |
