I’m sure most of you have noticed the flags in the Wagner City Park as they wave in the breeze on Federal holidays, but do you know the story behind them?

Nearly 30 years ago, members of Wagner’s American Legion Greer Post #11 began accumulating casket flags that were donated by families of deceased veterans. As the number of flags grew, it was decided that they should be displayed. So the idea was born to put them up in the park on holidays. The first group of flags was placed in an avenue by the Veterans Memorial.

Once the avenues at the memorial were filled, it was decided to put them all the way around the outside of the park. Once again, as time passed, there were more flags donated than could be displayed so two Boy Scouts decided to put a row of flags inside the then current row of flags. They did this as their Eagle Scout Project.

For nearly twenty years, the Cub and Boy Scouts of Wagner flew the flags on holidays. But as time went by and scout numbers declined, the honor was given back to the American Legion members. Today a group of 8-10 volunteers show up twice on holidays, once to put the flags up and once to take them down. It takes approximately an hour each time as the flags are stored in the north section of the American Legion building and have to be transported to the park.

Each flag has the veterans name placed on the rib of the flag. As the flags eventually become worn, they are retired. If possible, a family member of the veteran is contacted and asked if they would like to replace the flag with a new one. If no family members are able to be contacted or they do not want to replace the flag, it is simply retired.

If you would like to have a flag flown to honor your veteran and do not want to donate the flag that was placed on their casket, you can purchase one through the American Legion so that it can be flown in the veterans honor on holidays.

If you wish to purchase a flag and pole, contact either flag committee chairman Jerry Seiner at 605-481-1338 or Commander Bob Kucera at 605-491-6526 or 384-3134. Cost of a flag is $50 and the poles are $100 each.