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West Newton Avenue of Flags is comprised of 385 flags on display in the West Newton Cemetery. Each is raised in memory of a deceased local veteran, whose family has donated the flag. Some honor those killed in action or multiple members and generations of the same family. Visitors can see the display during regular visiting hours at the West Newton Cemetery, 210 Vernon Drive, beginning two weeks before Memorial Day through the Saturday afterward.
All-volunteer effort
Begun in 1994 with half as many flags, the nonprofit annual display is run entirely by community volunteers. The committee is led by Kathie Montgomery and Stacey Federoff and comprised mainly of members from West Newton Moose Lodge No. 31 and West Newton VFW No. 7812, who also volunteer to put up and take down the flags every year alongside students from Yough High School.
All-volunteer effort
Begun in 1994 with half as many flags, the nonprofit annual display is run entirely by community volunteers. The committee is led by Kathie Montgomery and Stacey Federoff and comprised mainly of members from West Newton Moose Lodge No. 31 and West Newton VFW No. 7812, who also volunteer to put up and take down the flags every year alongside students from Yough High School.
Representing generations of West Newton-area veterans
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Community members are encouraged each year to join in to help raise and lower the Avenue of Flags in order to honor local veterans, including former mayors of West Newton, nurses, those killed in action, and flags representing several generations of veterans from different families. Other community service groups like Boy and Girl Scouts and Young Marines also often participate in the annual event, which garners about 100 participants each time.
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MORE THAN
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When the display is raised, volunteers place each of the 10-foot flag poles along the cemetery pathways near a predetermined spot, marked by permanently embedded pieces of PVC pipe in the ground. Then, groups of three to five volunteers raise the poles into each hole, attaching hardware and a plaque, then clipping on the flag before raising each into place. The same process is reversed to take them down. The flags are then folded and stored for the next year.
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A Memorial Day tradition for almost 30 years
Founded in 1994 to honor of a WWII veteran, the display continues to be a prominent part of the Memorial Day festivities in West Newton. On Memorial Day, the borough’s parade begins every year at 9 a.m., followed by a service in West Newton Cemetery among the flags on display. Many of the members of the VFW who volunteer their time in the weeks prior to raise the flags march in the parade and participate in the rifle salute to honor their comrades.
Founded in 1994 to honor of a WWII veteran, the display continues to be a prominent part of the Memorial Day festivities in West Newton. On Memorial Day, the borough’s parade begins every year at 9 a.m., followed by a service in West Newton Cemetery among the flags on display. Many of the members of the VFW who volunteer their time in the weeks prior to raise the flags march in the parade and participate in the rifle salute to honor their comrades.
Community Partners
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Thank you to our loyal sponsors, which support us every year, either by encouraging volunteers, providing resources or donating funding to ensure the continuing success of the Avenue of Flags:
Organizations
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Yough High School Student Council has participated since 2005, bringing about 40 students to help raise the flags every year.
“We are so grateful for the volunteers, from high-schoolers to old-timers, who help us each and every year,” said Kathie Montgomery, who, along with Stacey Federoff, co-leads the organizing committee. “We also are grateful for the support of local businesses who help us buy pizza and doughnuts to fuel the community service that honors our veterans.”
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