JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Staff at Jacksonville National Cemetery are asking for volunteers of all ages to come out Thursday to help with the traditional placing of U.S. flags on gravesites in recognition of Memorial Day.
Schools, military, veterans, churches, corporate, civic-outreach and other groups of volunteers are all invited to take part.
Memorial Day initially began as Decoration Day, with Americans decorating the graves of veterans with flowers each year on May 30.
Now, Jacksonville is a leader by having the entire Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia community remember and honor the fallen military during Memorial Day with over 20,000 flags.
The flag-placement program will begin at 3 p.m. Thursday.
Please note that volunteers should arrive no later than 2:30 p.m. at the Jacksonville National Cemetery at 4083 Lannie Road in Jacksonville. (Assemble at the Committal Shelter # 3).
Staff can also sign community service forms for those who bring them.
Staff notes that volunteers should be prepared to walk the cemetery and might want to bring work gloves to protect their hands as they push flags into the ground.
Volunteers are encouraged to dress for hot weather. Limited water will be available, so you might want to bring your own.
For ease in driving to the National Cemetery, note that a new road goes directly into the Cemetery named the Gold Star Family Parkway. This beautiful tree-lined parkway is accessed from the I-95 and the Pecan Park Exit.
