On a beautiful Sunday morning before Memorial Day, a patriotic group of over 2400 volunteers arrived at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell to place 107,000 flags on the graves of fallen veterans. Volunteers arrived early to begin the flag placement with over 1,000 of those volunteers from The Villages.

Kurt Rotar, director of the Florida National Cemetery, said there are more than 133,000 buried on the grounds with more than 7,000 burial services performed each year, making it the second-busiest cemetery within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration. It  is located on the outskirts of Bushnell, within the Withlacoochee State Forest.

Doug Gardner, first year Event Coordinator for the Flags For Fallen Vets, said this year’s turnout of volunteers has been fantastic.

Lexie Bare, Wildwood, placing flag on the grave of her great-grandfather Edward Welsh who served in the Navy in World War II.
Lexie Bare, Wildwood, placing flag on the grave of her great-grandfather Edward Welsh who served in the Navy in World War II.

“Mostly everyone has carpooled out here to help. Last year I was a volunteer but found this to be so rewarding and fulfilling, I decided to take over as Coordinator.” he said.

Volunteers began placing flags at 9 a.m. Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bobby Justice of Groveland was one of the Team Leaders in charge of Sections 103 and 104.

“I wanted to be a team leader for this after I placed flags last year. It was such a meaningful experience.” he said.

Justice instructed everyone not to disturb anything on the graves “as even the smallest pebble could have significant meaning to a loved one.”

Lt. Col. Bobby Justice and a group of volunteers.
Lt. Col. Bobby Justice and a group of volunteers.

Ten-year-old Lexie Pinion from Bushnell came to help her mother and grandmother with the flag placement. After each flag she placed in the ground, Lexie stood up, read the soldier’s name out loud and said, “Thank you for your service.”

Pvt. Caleb Flaville placing flag at grave of fellow Marine, Kenneth Narvaez.
Pvt. Caleb Flaville placing flag at grave of fellow Marine, Kenneth Narvaez.

Private Caleb Flaville of the U.S. Marine Corps was on leave until Monday from Military Combat Training. Flaville came to the flag placement to honor his fellow Marines. He knelt at the grave of U.S. Marine Corp Sgt. Kenneth Narvaez, a World War II and Korean War veteran, for a moment of respect and reflection.

On Thursday, 700 volunteers with more than 500 coming from the Villages will arrive at the cemetery for the flag removal from the graves. More volunteers are needed. If you would like to volunteer for the flag removal, please arrive at the cemetery on Thursday morning or contact Doug Gardner at 203-856-8663

For information on visiting the Florida National Cemetery, please visit the US Department of Veteran’s Affairswebsite or the Flags For Fallen Vets, Inc website.