VFW members prepare for Memorial Day

RITZVILLE – As VFW members prepare to place individual flags at the gravesides of 364 veterans buried in the Ritzville Cemetery, an account to donate to their efforts has been set up at Wheatland Bank.

"A handful of VFW members will be working to make the Ritzville cemetery look spectacular by placing flags around the perimeter and on each grave of the people who gave all in support of our nation," Dolly Blankenship, Wheatland Bank Ritzville Branch Manager said. "There is an ongoing need to replace flags and flagpoles, and to add solar lighting at key locations so that flags may be flown 24 hours each day."

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 11446 Commander Jeff Kissler said depending on the weather, flags have to be replaced every three to five years.

"If they get soaked and the colors start bleeding, or if it's windy and they get ripped, we replace them," Kissler said. "We will do a flag retirement ceremony for the flags in town, probably in the fall, and there are costs involved with that."

The VFW members also make the poles for the larger flags, which are purchased by family members for $50 and placed at the gravesites. Kissler said with the cost of flag poles rising, they would eventually have to raise the price by $10, but for now it is set at $50.

"We have 188 of the large flags. We make the poles for those, and get a tag for the pole with the veteran's name on it," Kissler said. "Some veterans are not buried in Ritzville, for instance they might be buried at the State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, but families often want a flag flown in Ritzville as well."

Kissler said the Ritzville Cemetery has seven fields with veterans, with room to expand into an eighth field.

There are an additional 62 veterans at the Lutheran Church cemetery by the golf course, which the church takes care of internally.

Kissler said a number one goal for the donation fund was to put up a new flag pole at the American Legion Hall, and put lighting up on it. According to the Federal flag code and universal custom, a flag may be properly displayed if it is illuminated at night.

Kissler, who served in the Army for 23 years and returned to Ritzville a couple years ago, said VFW members will be putting up the flags Friday, May 28 starting at 5 p.m.

They will have a Memorial Day ceremony at the cemetery Monday, May 31 at 11 a.m., and play taps at 5 p.m. the same day.

Kissler said there are also family plots in the countryside with vets buried in them. He is working on a database of Gold Star mothers and any families that have vets in the area.

Tax-deductible donations can be made with checks payable to VFW Flag Account and dropped off at the local branch of Wheatland Bank, or the local Ritzville Eagles Club. Any questions can be directed to the bank at 509 659 0330.

"Wheatland Bank is privileged to once again work with our local VFW to support their efforts," Blankenship said. "Thank you in advance for supporting this most worthwhile cause."