(WTAQ) – As Memorial Day approaches, one tradition will not be going away at Riverside Cemetery in Appleton due to the coronavirus pandemic this year.
“We have over 1,700 flags that are placed for the veterans in Riverside Cemetery…Three days it takes to place the flags at Riverside Cemetery for the veterans and it’s an honor. We have repeat volunteers every year to assist with it,” says Cemetery Administrator Debbie DeBruin, “The volunteers want to recognize the veterans that people that served our country and everybody in the community is wanting to give thanks to the veteran that have served.”
Flag placement started today. The cemetery is home to local veterans who served in an array of wars and battles throughout the country’s history.
“Civil War, World War II, Korean and Vietnam – all branches of service and all wartimes,” DeBruin tells WTAQ News.
But while the flag placement tradition lives on through an odd part of American history, that being the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the closely related parade and following service will be missing this year.
“The Appleton Memorial Day Parade would end on Riverside Cemetery grounds in the past years for the Memorial Day service,” DeBruin says, “Due to the coronavirus, that will not be taking place this year. But there will be a virtual recognition of the veterans.”
The Moment of Remembrance will be available online and on-air on our sister station, Y100, starting at 10:15 a.m.
