There's a small detail that comes about each year that I'd like to share with as many people as possible. The story is found by just clicking here:

Flag Detail

In essence, a small gathering takes place the Saturday prior to Memorial Day to avoid the politicians, that takes part in a personal tradition of placing two wreaths at the headstones of my father and brother at the Marietta National Cemetery.

But, there is a detail that becomes another part of that day in which this same small bunch "moves out smartly" to scour the interior of that National Cemetery to replace fallen flags that are put up each year by the Boy and Girl Scouts...17,000 flags...that are nothing more than miniature American flags on a round wooden stake. These young men and ladies do the very best that they can in this tradition...and have for quite a few years; but, the wooden staffs being set in the ground by young hands won't always be sufficient.

The winds and conditions for those short few days that the flags are in place will always pull these flags out of the ground. I think the silent pact has been struck and should be maintained that the one small period of time per year for remembrance as signified by these small flags is sufficient enough to roam the entire property and set them upright. It's the minimum amount of respect to pay to both the departed and the flag.

Everyone is welcome. You'd be surprised at the history that goes along with this "detail" in just walking the grounds of Marietta National Cemetery. Medal of Honor awardees mixed in with the Unknowns. KIAs and Veterans of multiple tours of multiple wars in respose with those that didn't survive the Civil War. Men and women killed on the other side of the world are mixed in with men killed in their own front yard, never having lived long enough to travel past the border of their hometown.

Young people get a reality check in the magnitude of the whole picture found in this one relatively small cemetery. Older folks find assurance that the younger folks are "getting the message" by seeing a slow return to the basics that involves taking time to honor the actions of strangers.

But...most importantly...those currently serving the military at present can see that their time spent on our behalf; lives lost for our sake and families torn apart by all the events of service to our Country will never go without the respect and commemoration that this type of sacrifice shall always deserve.

We normally gather below the Belevedere facing Roswell Street (120) at Marietta National Cemetery in the mid-morning on the Saturday prior to Memorial Day. I hope you can join us for this small, but growing, annual ceremony this Saturday, May 24th. Replacing small flags requires only a little time, a little willingness, a bit of respect and as we've found out over the years...work gloves!

Please bring all of that with you and your young impressionable types. A map to the Marietta National Cemetery can be found on the Interment site:

Marietta National Cemetary

Take a little time out this Saturday mid-morning and join us for the Flag Detail at Marietta National Cemetery.

Best regards,

Dan Turner
Dan Turner

(if you need further information, please don't hesitate to reply to this address with your questions)