New Oregon Avenue of Flags
Thu, 11/19/2020 - 8:52am
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—Tradition began in 1986
CRESCO - It is a sight to behold.
It takes a person’s breath away.
“It” is the flags flying on Veterans Day and Memorial Day every year at New Oregon Cemetery, south of Cresco on the Protivin Road.
Today, there are 84 flags lining the fence along the road and on both sides along the east/west drive.
The Avenue of Flags project started in 1986 to honor all veterans buried in New Oregon. The cemetery board had help from VFW Post #4561 and Auxiliary.
Cemetery board member Al Voyna stated, “When a veteran passes away, his family can donate the flag and purchase a pole.”
A group of dedicated individuals then make sure the flag is flown with the rest on both Memorial and Veterans Days. “We have a lot of volunteers,” Voyna said. “We start at 8 a.m. and are done in about half-an-hour. At 4 p.m., another nice crew shows up, and we take the flag down, fold it and put it away in 30 minutes.”
There are a variety of ages who help each time. They range from under five to grandparents. “It’s a fun time together, and we honor veterans that way.”
