The city of Lewiston annually helps to recruit volunteers to place nearly 7,500 flags at individual veterans’ gravestones within Lewiston cemeteries. As Memorial Day approaches, the city again seeks volunteers.
Nate Cheever, Lewiston building maintenance employee, helps to store flags at Lewiston City Hall in anticipation of placement. Submitted photo
Flag placement will occur as outlined below at Riverside Cemetery and St. Peters Cemetery, and the organizing groups welcome volunteers to assist them, rain or shine:
• Riverside Cemetery, 192 Summer St., Saturday, May 20, 9 a.m. The Knights of Columbus are the coordinators for this location. The contact is Leo Baillargeon at 207-577-7424. There are approximately 1,600 flags for this location.
• St. Peters Cemetery, 217 Switzerland Road, Sunday, May 21, 10 a.m. Meet at the Mausoleum, St. Peter’s Cemetery, Switzerland Road. The L/A Veterans Council are the coordinators for this location. The contact is Jerry Dewitt at 207-576-0376. There are approximately 4,000 flags for this location.
The plan is to assign teams of five to 10 volunteers to an area of each cemetery and to cover the cemetery in a grid fashion in order to not miss any stone. If military service is listed on the stone, a flag will be placed there. Volunteers do not need to sign up in advance; they are welcome to show up on the date/time of the event and will be provided instructions by the on-site coordinator.
The city also notes the following logistics for volunteers who participate:
1. Work gloves are optional but encouraged.
2. Volunteers may bring their own hand sanitizer.
3. Wear sneakers or boots in case the grass is wet.
4. Bring a screwdriver to poke a hole in the grass; it is much easier to place a flag’s wooden dowel into the ground if a hole is first made.
5. Plan to bring a water bottle if it is a hot day.
6. Bring bug spray, hat and sunscreen.
7. Be mindful of ticks.
8. Children/youth are encouraged to participate but must be accompanied by an adult.
9. Wearing company or organization T-shirts is welcome.
For more information, call the Lewiston City Clerk’s Office at 207-513-3124, or volunteers can directly reach out to event coordinators.
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