For the past 22 years, the American Legion Post 102 has held the Saturday before Memorial Day sacred by changing the flags for veterans who have fallen. Annie Day Henry, first vice-commander, said that since 2001, “We have been there to show respect and honor for those who made the ultimate sacrifice in losing their life.”
Drills, picks, and other tools are used to make the holes for the flags near the tombs of the fallen. Then, new flags are placed or replaced at each veteran’s tomb.
Day Henry also discussed the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. “The purpose of Memorial Day is to really honor friends and family that have died while serving our country or were wounded and died from those wounds. It is to remember the ultimate sacrifice for guarding our country,” said Day Henry.
This year, more than 864 flags were replaced and newly placed. Some of the locations include the Kingshill Cemetery, Lutheran Church and other locations. On St. Thomas and St. John, changing of the flags ceremonies also occur. At the University of the Virgin Islands, Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix, underneath some of the stone walkways serve as tombs, and flags are changed there as well.
“We make sure that those flags are removed and changed every Memorial Day. So many freedoms that we must thank these soldiers, these warriors that made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Day Henry.
Day Henry said that more than 600,000 soldiers have died at war and over 100,000 are from the territory.
To offer a helping hand, the Virgin Islands Tuskegee Aviation Youth Group volunteered to help with the replacement of flags.
