WORCESTER, Mass. - Over 150 volunteers gathered at St. John’s Cemetery in Worcester on Wednesday morning to place American flags on Veterans’ graves ahead of Memorial Day.
Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis, correctional officers, reserve deputies, and members of the American Legion Post 201 and Main South Post were among the volunteers helping to place the 5,000 flags.
Volunteers of all ages came out to help. Evangelidis said it is great to see the younger generations getting involved and finding out the meaning behind the holiday.
“A lot of times young people, they think of Memorial Day, they think of a day off, day off from school, day off from work and the reality is those who know, know it’s our most sacred day as Americans,” Evangelidis said. “When you see young people to come and to understand what Memorial Day is, it just perpetuates the greatness of our country and the sacrifices people have made, so we have the freedoms we have today.”
Veterans who took part shared what they want people to keep in mind as they get together with family and friends for the holiday on Monday.
“You know it’s a cliché but freedom is not free,” Kevin Mercadante, East Side Post 201 post coordinator, said. You’ve got to honor the people that allow us to live like we live. They have to be honored for sacrificing themselves and sacrificing their life’s so we can live free and the lives we want.”
“We honor those that died not just during war but because of war,” Robert Kalagher, Main South Post American Legion 341 post commander, said.
Larry Sasso, East Side Post 201 post commander, said, ”Being a retired United States Marine Corps sergeant with the 25th Marines out of Worcester, everything I do in my life it’s the proudest thing that I have that I could honor our country by wearing the uniform and being a part of that military family to fight for our freedoms."
The Veterans also thanked St. John’s Cemetery, who removes the old flags each year so volunteers can put down new ones.
Memorial Day is observed on Monday, May 30.