Today I went out to a local party supply store and ordered about 100 miniature US flags on sticks. I planned on placing these flags on my father's as well as other veteran graves near my parent's grave the day before Memorial Day.

I went to pay for the flags and the store manager told me, "Sir, normally those flags are $2.00 each BUT I will give you another 500 free. Your cost will be $50".

OH man, I know I can find 100 US veteran graves near my father's BUT 500? My father did not want to be buried in a veteran's cemetery although he had every right to be buried in one. He said he was an every day 'fella'.

So this means I will have to arrive at the cemetery early and look at each grave in the area. I will place all those flags on every veteran's grave even if I have to walk 50 miles to do it!

God Bless the USA!

WHAT A WONDERFUL GESTURE TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE MENS MEAL.THEY NEED TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED FOR ALL THEY ARE GOING THROUG FIGHTING THIS AWFUL WAR.To think they had to fight to get added life insurance for putting their lives on the line,So many young men and women are not coming home as when they left.Sadlt, too soon they are forgotten and will have to fight for what is theirs.

People think I am nuts but I thank all of the veterans I meet. World War II all the way to the Iraqi War.

A few months ago I went into a restaurant and saw 4 Marines in full uniform who I was told by the waitress just returned from Iraq. I told the waitress to give me their bill and I would pay it.

After they were through with their meals, those Marines came up to me to thank me! I said, "Sirs, I should thank you for putting your life at risk so that I can live in peace here in the States!"

These young men were between 20-30 years old. All veterans are my heroes.

OC. I just want to say how proud I am of you. I had put a flag on my dad's grave over the weekend as he was a vet. My girlfriend from childhood dad was the grand marshall in the parade in out town. They always pick a vet as grand marshall. It was nice to see him get the recognization and I strongly felt my dad with me that day. Next year I too will take the time, mom permitting, to place flags on some graves near my dad as well as well as thanking them for all they did for our country.

Janie you said it! It took me a whole day to get back to this! I was sniffing the whole day over this! Steve I aint gonna say nothing at all, you know how I feel about you! Wadda guy! Daggummit I got sumfin in my eye agin!

Veterans rights and priviledges will now be my priority. Any veteran I see who is falling through the cracks will get the help they deserve.

Thanks for being so sweet to me. But I love doing this.

VERY touching, Steve. God bless you.

The Boy & Girls Scouts did a fantastic job although they were really under manned. I placed some 500 flags on veterans graves.

On one grave, the veterans family members saw me kneeling as I was placing the flag into the ground. I made sure the stick was 90 degrees and standing straight up. Then I wiped dried dirt off of this veterans grave. The family thanked me profusely but I told them it was an honor to do it.

Each one of the flags I placed, I said "Thank you sir/ma'am for your brave service" over the graves of the veterans.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Steve, how did the flag-placing go? Did the Scouts help you out? I thought about your doing that all day long on Memorial Day!

I called my parent's cemetery yesterday and asked if they had a list of veterans buried near and around my father. Specifically how many veterans they had buried.

In total they have well over 2,000 veterans going back to the Sapnish-American War! WOW! In my parent's area there are only 342 veterans graves BUT that they will have some Boy Scouts to help me place 500 flags. They also said I could help placing other flags too if I wanted.

So jokingly I asked, "Do I get a Merit badge?" he he

Steve, not only do you have a wonderful heart - but you have the Actions to back it up!!

This is a very special gesture and, in behalf of my Dad, I thank you!

OC Here here! That is so sweet of you!
May God bless and keep you sweet prince!

We have to honor all of our veterans who are living as well as those who have passed on. Every time I go to my relative's gravesites, I make it a point to stop and read markers and say a small thank you to those who were veterans.

God Bless our Veterans!

Steve!! You are so special!!! Maybe you can contact a local Boy Scout Troop to assist you in placing those markers. There also might be some veterans who would feel honored to assist you...

The cemetery office should have a listing of veteran's graves...

I hope you get some help, but even if you don't, this is such a sweet, pure gesture on your part! Bless you!!