Members of Ernest Simmons Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 6722 and its Auxiliary honored those who died protecting this nation’s freedom by placing American flags on veterans’ graves ahead of Memorial Day.
The Lillington post worked in partnership with O’Quinn-Peebles-Phillips Funeral Home, and were accompanied by Harnett Central Middle School students and members of the Junior Beta Club.
This was the first year the students helped VFW Post 6722, and it was the first year the organization was asked to put flags out at Westview Memorial Gardens. Post Commander Stephen M. Gardner said he looks forward to making this an annual event.
"What an honor to have been included in this tradition paying respect to our fallen comrades-in-arms across all service branches,” Gardner said. "Veteran graves from every conflict from World War I to the Global War on Terror are present at Westview Memorial Gardens.”
The students were accompanied by Harnett Central Middle School teacher Jodi Hardy, who is president of the VFW Post 6722 Auxiliary.
Gardner expressed his gratitude to those assisting with this remembrance.
"A special thank you to Josefa Meek and Logan Johnson of O’Quinn-Peebles-Phillips Funeral Home who made this day possible by identifying the importance and the need to honor our veterans’ service,” he said. "Thank you, Mrs. Hardy from Harnett Central Middle School, and the Junior Beta Club for helping honor our veterans.”