The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2078 needed help, and without hesitation East Peorians responded.
With Memorial Day just around the corner, what better way to start the celebrations than to hike up and down the hills at Fondulac Cemetery placing flags next to veterans’ graves?
That’s just what more than 100 volunteers did on Saturday morning. And these individuals — both young and old — need to be commended.
It is because of them, the memorial flag tradition, a staple in town since VFW members can remember, will continue.
The East Peoria Times-Courier has reported over the last two weeks about the VFW’s decision to eliminate the purchase of flags.
It all came down to manpower and money, members said.
But, after one anonymous donor stepped up with enough money to purchase the 1,344 flags, others followed suit.
“It makes me feel great,” said post commander Bill Gould, who spent the end of the morning walking along in the cemetery looking at the flags in place. “We have the cemetery pretty well covered. I was surprised about the number of people who showed up.”
The morning was a great testament to the generosity of the East Peoria community.
Gould said it best: “That’s the nice thing about East Peoria. All you have to do is ask for help, and you’ll get it.”
