News

Actions

Local group places flags at veterans' graves for Memorial Day

Local group places flags at veterans' graves for Memorial Day
Posted at 6:30 PM, May 26, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-26 15:17:59-04

LEON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - More than 600 flags are flying at veteran grave sites at the Tallahassee Southside Cemetery.

The Leon County Chapter of the Blank Check Society of America honors the men and women who, at some point in their lives, wrote a "blank check" payable to the United States for an amount up to, and including, their lives.

Members of the Blank Check Society of America have a deep appreciation for our veterans and their families. They say 'thank you' by visiting, and leaving flags, at veterans' grave sites at local cemeteries.

Lynette Boatner's father was a veteran who served in the Korean War. She says, she and her daughter always visit his grave on Memorial Day weekend.

"I would come and see a flag and think 'oh wow, who put this flag here' and now that I've gone through the process with them and I've realized the protocol, it was more than likely that it was this society that came out and was honoring my father," said Boatner.

25 volunteers, most of them are veterans themselves, paid their respects to more than 600 fallen heroes.

"It's real important that someone still remembers them, and cares, and supports the fact that they fought or served our country," said Boatner.

When placing the flag, the veterans name is said aloud. Organizers say there's a saying that a veteran actually dies twice: when he or she takes their last breath and the last time their name is spoken.

The Blank Check Society gives a military salute at each grave, making sure no veteran is forgotten.

To the Blank Check Society, Memorial Day Weekend is a time to reflect on the sacrifices our fallen veterans made for us all.

"Our freedom isn't free. A lot of have given the ultimate price. All of them give and some of them give in the ultimate way," said Jodie Kahoon, who served in the Gulf War.

And for those who gave everything for our country, the Blank Check Society is keeping their memory alive.

If you want to support our veterans, donate to the local Blank Check Society of America.

Members of the organization buy all the flags that proudly fly in front of veterans' gravestones.


LEON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - The Leon County Chapter of the Blank Check Society of America is giving proper respect to veterans who gave their all.

Volunteers will replace the flags on the grave sites of nearly 1,000 veterans resting in Tallahassee on Saturday, ahead of the Memorial Day Holiday.

They do so in honor of those who they say, at one point in life, wrote a 'blank check' made payable to the United States of America for an amount up to and including their lives. 

"This particular cemetery has over 570 veterans interred. This will be the third year we've placed flags in this cemetery," said John Vickers, Road Captain for Blank Check Society. "We'll be here Saturday and place a flag on every veterans grave that we know of." 

Some of the flags collected from the grave sites will be retired in a special ceremony. Those in the best condition will accompany cremated veterans.

Last year, about 20 volunteers helped spruce up sites at the Southside Cemetery. All are welcome to assist this year, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday.