GREENWOOD — After receiving instruction at Jackson Silver Post 68 from American Legion Auxiliary President Paige Crockett of, Albany, and Historian Harry Orcutt, of Greenwood, a group of local students hopped into several cars to place new American flags on veterans’ graves in Greenwood cemeteries.

Before they left, Crockett asked, “Who has been to this building before?” The children responded with answers such as: Festival of Trees, voting, music, weddings, and receptions. Crockett acknowledged Post 68’s role as a community gathering place for many events but reminded them, “Its main purpose is to help support our Veterans.”

Seventeen children from Forestdale Christian School in South Woodstock, four from the Woodstock School, and five home-schooled students were there. When asked about military branches, they quickly listed: Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Army, Space Force, and Air Force.

“Memorial Day is when we honor our Veterans who have died in service to our country,” said Crockett, explaining the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, which honors all who have served.

Orcutt added historical context: “You are looking for markers that say U.S. Veteran on them. This is an especially important year in that it is a 250th anniversary of the beginning of the Revolutionary War. June 14 is probably the most important day, the founding of the U.S. Army. Followed by August 13, the founding of the United States Navy, and November 10, which is the founding of the United States Marine Corps.

“The United States Air Force and the Space Force in actuality both came out of the Army.”

“Says the Army veteran,” quipped Susan Vacca, Orcutt’s wife.

Older students were given notebooks to record names; birth and death dates; and military branches listed on grave markers. Orcutt said they plan to compare this information with existing records to identify veterans who may be unmarked. He hopes local families will offer that information to him, as well.  “The goal is to produce a complete list so that in future, if a veteran’s flag holder is missing, we will know it, and it will be replaced, along with the flag of honor,” said Orcutt.

Among the volunteers were Tracen Dutterer, 12, and his mother Jan, of Greenwood. Jan said she hoped her son would learn respect for cemeteries and to honor those buried there. Tracen added that he liked doing community service.

The group visited several accessible cemeteries, including Martin, Hicks, Mount Abram, Richardson Hollow, and Cummings Plot. Other cemeteries, which require all-terrain vehicles to access, will be flagged as well.

“You are helping us build our historical record today,” said Crockett.

Then she passed around another list, Did they want plain or pepperoni pizza for lunch? Important, too, said Orcutt with a laugh.

If you have a relative buried in a Greenwood cemetery, who is a veteran, and does not have a veterans flag holder, notify Orcutt by email at Jackson-Silver Post 68 <jacksonsilverpost68@roadrunner.com>, leave a phone message at 207-875-2375