AHOSKIE – They hailed from all walks of life – farm boys, factory workers, the quiet young man on the back row of the church.

No matter their educational or financial background; no matter the color of their skin, they were thrown into the ravages of war, sent to a strange land far from home to protect the freedoms all Americans still enjoy today.

Some came home to raise families; others weren’t as fortunate….taking their last breath just before a bullet tore through their body or a bomb/grenade exploded near their feet.

That’s why it is so important to remember those who put on a military uniform, picked up a rifle and served the United States of America.

Members of the Hertford County American Legion Post 102 do not forget the service of their military brethren. In advance of Memorial Day weekend, those men (former members of all branches of the military) fan out across Hertford County to place flags at the gravesites of those who once fought for America’s freedom.

“It’s just our way of paying respect to those who put their lives on the line in battle to protect our way of life here at home,” said Post 102 Commander Steve Vinson. “We are extremely grateful for their service to our great nation and the best way we can show how grateful we are is to place the stars and stripes at their graves.”

Vinson also expressed his gratitude to Garrett-Sykes Funeral Home of Ahoskie.

“They annually provide us with the flags we use to place at the graves; we provide the manpower to find all the cemeteries where military veterans are buried and then visit those areas to erect the flags,” Vinson stated. “The folks at Garrett-Sykes have really big hearts when it comes to the men and women who have served our country in the military. We thank them for remembering those who have served.”

Wayne Fairless, manager of Garrett-Sykes, said the business is proud to help in this annual effort. He added that Garrett-Sykes purchases over 2,000 American flags, donating 1,800 to Post 102 and dividing the reminder between the Aulander Ruritan Club and Rich Square American Legion Post 111 for members of those two organizations to place at the graves of military veterans in their respective areas.

Post 102 members have already placed flags at numerous church cemeteries in the county, to include: New Haven, HollySprings, Zion Grove, Newsome Grove, Meherrin, St. Johns 2^nd Baptist, Parkers Grove, Jordan Grove, Harrellsville Chapel, Phillippi, Christian Harbor, Elm Grove, Mt. Sinai, Mt. Tabor, Winton Baptist, Harrellsville Methodist, Mt. Pleasant Baptist, Pleasant Plains, Mt. Moriah, Natural Truth Ministries, New Bethany Baptist, and Buckhorn Baptist.

Other cemeteries visited by Post 102 members include the Town of Ahoskie, Hillcrest, Riverside, Stoney Creek, Vaughtown Road, Gatling, JOB, Jordan’s Corner, Worrell, Barham Road, Boones Bridge/Oak Grove, Winton Masonic, Winton Fire Station, Swain’s Mill, Ebo Road, Chavis, Bluefoot Road, Moore, and Mulberry Street (Winton).

Additional visits have been made to place flags at military graves in Wilders Cemetery, Claude Ambrose Cemetery, Union (near CADA), Black Jack, Whitley Road, Courthouse Annex, Weaver Cemetery, Hills Ferry Road, Carver Park, Benthall Bridge Road, NC 45, Mapleton Road/Eley Cemetery, Eley Town Cemetery, Poortown Road, Cullen Road, the Bazemore Family Cemetery, and just off US 13 near Bojangles of Ahoskie.

Those wishing to have a flag placed at the grave of a military veteran buried in Hertford County can contact Post 102 at 252-332-6880 (leave a message).