LEWISTON – Several community organizations gathered at Mount Hope Cemetery to replace soiled and damaged flags on veterans’ graves.

The project, organized by Longley-Dionne Post 9150, VFW, and Auxiliary, consisted of replacing nearly 1,000 flags in the cemetery.

Other organizations that participated included Lewiston Emblem Club 528, Franco-American War Veterans Post 31 and Auxiliary, Women’s Marine Association, Marine Corps League and Lewiston Lodge of Elks 371.

With the help of 21 volunteers the work went quickly, and the flags were replaced within an hour.

Each year, these organizations assist the city of Lewiston by replacing the worn flags just before Memorial Day. The organizations try to recycle the flags from year to year, but for those that cannot be reused, the city picks up the additional cost. In addition, several members also helped replace an additional 2,100 flags at St. Peter’s Cemetery.

Volunteers who participated in the project were: VFW Post 9150, Armand Bussiere, William Pelletier, Howard Eisman, Al Landry, Larry Kirouac, Laurier Kirouac, Norman Kirouac, Arthur Bentz and Myron Bentz; Auxiliary, Brenda Bussiere, Wini Pelletier, Gail Bentz and Becky Bentz.

Women’s Marine Association, Georgette Cain; Marine Corps League, Phil St. Pierre; Franco-American War Veterans Post 31, Maurice Dutil; Lewiston Elks, Chris Gendron and Jackie Farrell; Lewiston Emblem Club 528, Doris Surrette and Jackie Asselin.