American Legion Post 44 will be placing flags and crosses along Winchester’s major thoroughfares this week as a tribute to military veterans leading up to the Memorial Day holiday.
The organization will be placing a record 665 American flags and crosses honoring deceased veterans from Franklin County.
The process started Tuesday when personnel began placing poles along major roadways with flags and crosses to be added today and Friday.
Legion Commander Ray Cobb extended an invitation to those wishing to help with the memorial placements and requested that they meet at the American Legion building, 110 N. Vine St., Winchester, at 8 a.m. on the flag-placement days.
Cobb said that although the 665 mark is a great milestone, more work remains.
“There are still more than 800 deceased veterans who at one time lived in Franklin County and enlisted into the service, according to the Secretary of State's Office and State Archives,” he said. “I look forward to the time when we go over 1,000 flags and crosses."
The cost of flags and crosses is still $125, and the American Legion stores and takes care of the memorials.
Cobb suggests that anyone knowing of Franklin County veterans who have not been honored call 931-308-8914. He added that those who are affiliated with churches, Sunday school classes and civic organizations may know of veterans who have been overlooked at being honored.
With the continual increasing interest in the veterans’ memorials, a new placement area has been designated on Bypass Road, in front of Franklin County High School.
The flags will be placed at the following locations, based on alphabetical order. They include:
— William J. Abbott to Roy H. Brock Jr.; Roundabout.
— Billy J. Brown to Ernest H. Janey; Cowan Highway.
—James R. Janey to Frank L. Martin; FCHS.
—Howard C. Martin to Jeffrey R. White; Decherd Boulevard.
—Dwight G. Wilcox to Murrell K. Zimmerman; Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave. N.W., Winchester.
