On Saturday, June 18, 2016, twenty MOAA Chapter 41 members, supported by five Flagler Palm Coast High School Air Force JROTC cadets, retrieved nearly 600 Memorial Day flags from veteran graves at Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens in Flagler Beach. Under the direction of Chapter President Neal McCoppin, members and cadets were dispatched to various areas of the Memorial Gardens to remove flags placed on May 21, 2016.

Participants collected flags, cleaned their staffs, separated tattered flags and assembled good condition flags for future use. At the end of the project President McCoppin thanked each participant and expressed appreciation for a job well done. Collection took approximately one hour and was a welcome opportunity for chapter and JROTC comradery, while at the same time fulfilling a worthwhile cause. Chapter 41 has decorated the Memorial Gardens for several years, and looks forward to continuing this tradition.

Several JROTC cadets commented, “We appreciate the opportunity to support MOAA in this generous project”. Cadets noted that they are committed to serving and supporting our community, and that it has special significance to work directly with military organizations such as MOAA, which is made up of military officers from the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and others. “There is value and meaning to decorating our own veterans’ graves”, commented First Year Cadet Joseph. “We are pleased to serve”, was his message. As part of their educational objectives and those of the Air Force JROTC curriculum, cadets select and participate in community support activities

Annually, flags are placed at military service identified graves. Recollected flags are cleaned of debris, inspected for future use suitability, repaired if needed, and stored for future use. Resupply of flags is arranged annually through the County Veteran Service Officer as a service of Flagler County. Flags identified to be retired are assembled and delivered to the Palm Coast, FL, VFW for a proper retirement ceremony.