Disabled American Veterans members James E. Billig, Jr., left, Commander Les Laberee, center, Wayne Willson, right, all Carson City Chapter 7 members, look through some of the American flags that will be placed on graves of veterans at Lone Mountain Cemetery. Chad Lundquist /Nevada Appeal
The Disabled American Veterans Carson City Chapter 7 will continue its tradition of honoring deceased veterans on Memorial Day weekend.
Chapter members will place hundreds of new 8-by-12-inch American flags at the graves of veterans at Lone Mountain Cemetery on May 25, the Friday preceding Memorial Day weekend.
"We do this to honor the veterans who gave all for their country," said Les Laberee, chapter commander.
They get help from the Boy Scouts, NJROTC from Carson High School and others.
The flags they've used in the past will be sorted and those in good condition will be made available to members in other towns to be used in ceremonies honoring veterans. Flags in disrepair will be retired.
The Carson City chapter recently celebrated its 35th anniversary, and also absorbed chapters from Yerington, Hawthorne and Fallon. The Carson City chapter now has 866 members.
Funds used to purchase the new flags were raised in part through the DAV's annual Forget Me Not campaign. Small paper flowers are given to those who donate to the chapter over Labor Day weekend.
"Individual donations were also made to the DAV chapter," said Stewart MacRitchie, treasurer.
"Most funds donated to the Carson City chapter are used to maintain vans used statewide to transport veterans to the VA hospital in Reno for medical appointments."
Community members interested in helping place the flags should meet at Lone Mountain Cemetery at 4:30 p.m. May 25.
"We are trying to hold activities to get everyone to know who each other (chapters) are and get better acquainted," MacRitchie said.
Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.
YOU CAN HELP
WHO: Disabled American Veterans Carson City Chapter 7
WHAT: Placing of American flags on gravesites
WHEN: 4:30 p.m. May 25
WHERE: Lone Mountain Cemetery
CALL: 841-9609
OTHER VETERAN-RELATED SERVICES:
WHAT: Transportation for veterans in Carson City/Gardnerville area, call 24 hours prior to need
CALL: 887-3679
OTHER NEEDS: Chapter service officer, 841-3655