Former Marionite points to confusion over Avenue of Flags
John Sandwell, a television station executive in Ohio, continues to be concerned over "confusion" of the public in regard to the Avenue of Flags at Marion Cemetery on Memorial Day each year.
The son of the late Ed and Phil Sandwell, who operated Sanitary Market, John grew up in Marion and continues to hold fond memories and a close bond to the community.
In a Letter to The Editor two weeks ago, Sandwell inquired why his father's name, Ed Sandwell, was not included in the Avenue of Flags listing on a page of this newspaper on Memorial Day.
A follow-up letter by an American Legion Post member attempted to explain the procedure, but Sandwell says there continues to be "confusion."
"I always assumed that the Avenue of Flags was there to honor all deceased veterans of all wars and conflicts," he said. "It never dawned on me that it was one flag, one veteran."
Each year the newspaper attempts to explain the policy: each flag represents a deceased veteran who may or may not have been buried in Marion Cemetery. Some flags, in fact, represent veterans who remain missing in action.
Sandwell says he has been contacted by others who also didn't understand the policy. He thinks it needs to be explained, again.
To have a flag added to the Avenue, a family must make a cash contribution (as a memorial which helps pay for a pole and maintenance). The family may donate a casket flag, or money to purchase another flag. Most families want to keep the casket flag as a treasured heirloom.
Sandwell's father, Ed, was a D-Day veteran as an engineer fighting on Omaha Beach. He was a past commander of the American Legion and a prime promoter of the Avenue of Flags.
Young Sandwell is concerned that World War II and Korean veterans are getting fewer and fewer, as well as more limited physically. And, he notes, younger veterans are not answering the call. There is hope that Iraq vets may step forward to take the responsibility.
If some veterans' group will not accept the duty, Sandwell suggests it become a job for city workers "to honor all veterans, not just those who buy a flag."
He also suggests that an information sheet might be prepared and distributed to area funeral homes.
Sandwell calls the Avenue a "wonderful memorial which can be continued and enhanced."
