Members of the Great Bend American Legion Post 180 decorated veterans’ graves with flags on Thursday, inviting area Scouts to help. 

More than 2,500 flags were placed on graves in the Great Bend cemeteries and the two county-owned cemeteries north of town. Members of Boy Scout Troops 157 and 184 met with the organizers at the Veterans Circle in the Great Bend Main Cemetery in the morning to begin.

Most graves of veterans have metal markers designed to hold a small flag but the youths were also advised to watch for additional graves that mention military service.

Jackson Hinman, age 12, from Hoisington was one of the volunteers. He is not a Scout, but his father and grandfather are American Legion members and asked if he would volunteer. Hinman said his great-grandfather, who served in the Korean War, is buried in the Great Bend Cemetery.

Also helping was Caylon Munsch, from Boy Scout Pack 157, who routinely helps with the monthly Great Plains Quilts of Valor Presentations at the American Legion Post. Other Scouts who came out were Tyler Duryee, Nathan Vondracek, Darin Munsch, AJ Demel, Hunter Duryee and Rhys Vonfeldt.  The flags will be picked up on Tuesday.

Citizens are encouraged to fly the American flag on Memorial Day. Members of the Great Bend Noon Kiwanis Club and the Kiwanis Rosewood Aktion Club will place flags along the Broadway Avenue islands and on McKinley St. leading to Veterans Memorial Park.

See pages 11A-14A of today’s Great Bend Tribune for a Salute to Veterans, including information about area Memorial Day ceremonies.