Groveland Twp.- Soon about 600 American flags will have a suitable home.
On Tuesday morning Ortonville Cemetery Association members, Oakland County Vocational School students, and township officals gathered for the groundbreaking of a building to house the American flags displayed each Memorial Day to honor veterans. The 12-by-16 foot wood-framed building at the cemetery was funded by donations and constructed by students from Oakland Schools. ‘The plan is to store the flags in the upright position in the new building so they are not so packed down in a box,? said Marilyn Featherston, who along with husband Marv, formed the Avenue of Flags in 1983. ‘This building is dedicated to the many veterans that have served our country with honor and bravery.?
The flag tribute started with 16 flags for veterans; then in 1985 another 33 were added. A family member could purchase a flag flown over the Capitol and the cemetery association covered the cost of the pole and stake. They extended the program later to either living or deceased veterans associated with the Ortonville area. Each flag includes the name of the veteran honored and is organized in alphabetical order.
Each year the Avenue of Flags grows.
‘This year we set up 597 flags on the day before Memorial Day,? said Featherston. ‘Over the years many people have worked to make this happen. We have needed many volunteers to help out due to the shortage of funds for the cemetery association. We’ve been supported by the local scouts who stand guard over the flags during the night before Memorial Day and by a very strong community.?
Proper storage of the flags is key to their preservation.
‘It’s a good feeling to get it started and to see the flags are taken care of,? she said.
‘Many have volunteered to make this new project happen. Tim Hohn from Genesee Vault Company in Holly dug the footings for the building, Bob and Don Fleming leveled the ground, and Mark Westphal designed the building. Their time and efforts are appreciated.?
The Avenue of Flags efforts continues to grow despite setbacks over the years.
In September 1991 a fire gutted the cemetery garage, burning the 265 flags inside.
‘I thought it was all over at that point, but the community rallied and raised $3,500 and the flags were replaced.?
About that time, Featherston said the cost was passed on to family members from $7 to $20 to help cover the expenses.
‘We gain 10-12 new flags each year’there’s plenty of room for the flags now,? she said.
‘When we started the Avenue of Flags, our cemetery sexton, Ken Grate, used to tell me this was way too much work. I’d say to him, ‘Go tell that mother whose son served our country she can’t have a flag.??