County discusses volunteer veteran‑flag program; chair agrees to replenish markers

The board heard an extended report on the county’s veterans‑flag program and the operational challenges of placing and removing flags across roughly 61 county cemeteries. The veterans service officer explained the program is heavily volunteer‑dependent; larger cemeteries are usually covered by local posts and civic groups, but many small pioneer cemeteries lack consistent volunteer coverage. The officer said the county provides bronze flag holders and has budgeted funds to replenish stock when needed.

The veterans service officer provided cost details to the board: "The cost of these flag holders is $49.80 I believe to be exact. And the flags come out to be a little bit less than a dollar when bought in bulk," he said, and noted volunteers are typically responsible for placing and removing flags on appropriate holidays because federal etiquette calls for flags not to be left weathered. Supervisors encouraged coordination among the American Legion, VFW, Boy Scouts and churches to ensure broader coverage for small cemeteries, and agreed to provide modest county funds to supply markers where volunteers identify gaps.

Board members also discussed practical steps—compiling lists of graves lacking markers, routing volunteers to avoid overlap, and ensuring some county support for volunteer coordination—while accepting the recommendation to continue the current volunteer approach with improved coordination and supplies.