CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Captain Mickey McCamish with the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council is calling on the community for help this weekend.
Volunteers are needed to help retire the thousands of flags placed at gravesites throughout Chattanooga National Cemetery following Memorial Day ceremonies.
McCamish explained that more than 50,000 flags were placed in honor of service members buried at the cemetery.
He says both placing and retiring the flags carries deep meaning for veterans and families throughout the community.
According to McCamish, one moment during the placement ceremony especially stood out to him.
“There was a breeze with the flags. The flags moved. There was movement with the flag,” McCamish stated. “I think it was the breath coming from the tombstones, coming from those graves, saying thank you for remembering.”
Volunteers interested in helping will meet at 7 a.m. Saturday, May 30, at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Parking will be available on the right side of the road, and bins will be provided to collect the flags until next year.
McCamish says the community’s continued support helps ensure the sacrifices of veterans are never forgotten.
