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Remembering those who served the U.S.

Staff reporter

A final tribute to those who served this country in the military can be found at Marion Cemetery each Memorial Day.

An Avenue of Flags located in the cemetery recognize deceased military personnel with Marion ties.

Typically families donate flags presented to them at the veterans' funeral.

"It's up to the families to contact us (the legion post)," explained Roger "Bud" Hannaford, a member of the local American Legion, James William Miesse Post 22. "We don't pressure anyone to give up their flags."

If families choose to remember their veterans but do not want to donate the memorial flag, families may provide a standard-size flag to the legion or the legion can order one for them.

Flags ordered through the legion typically cost around $50.

When contact is made with Hannaford, a form is sent to the family requesting pertinent information about the veteran.

A file is set up for the veteran. Hannaford also has a "ready reference" index card file for each veteran.

Currently there are approximately 200 flags in the legion's possession.

Previously the legion used light-weight poles that were setup and removed each year.

Since that time, the local legion purchased 55 permanent, metal flag poles, at a cost of $200 each.

Memorial flags are flown from the poles on Memorial Day. Since there are more flags than poles, the memorial flags are rotated each year.

When flags are donated, they are identified and safely stored in the legion hall at 324 E. Main, Marion.

Currently there are 38 members of the local post and they work with the local Ecker-Fulkerson-Slifer Veterans of Foreign War Post 6958 for honor guard duties at funerals.

"Sometimes it takes a while before a family is ready to give up a memorial flag," Hannaford explained, "and sometimes they choose to keep it and purchase one."

Regardless, Hannaford and the post are willing to accommodate them by honoring their veterans.

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