By ERIC SEIVERLING
The coronavirus pandemic may have shut down schools, businesses, parks and playgrounds, but it didn’t stop the annual Avenue of Flags in West Newton.
It did, however, make the ceremony smaller and a little more low-key.
Due to the virus’ outbreak, the volunteer-led event was held Saturday without a crowd or much fanfare, but thanks to the efforts of determined volunteers, approximately 60 military and veterans’ flags are now flying along West Newton Cemetery’s Vernon Drive.
“When the schools closed in March, that was the first sign that we’ll have to do things differently,” said volunteer committee co-chairperson Stacey Federoff. “We decided to keep it to a very small group of year-round supporters.”
Started in 1994, West Newton’s Avenue of Flags takes place each May to commemorate Memorial Day at the cemetery. It typically features 100 community volunteers and 40 students from Yough Senior High School raising 350 flags that are dedicated to each branch of the military, every U.S.-involved foreign conflict and veterans from West Newton who were killed in action or have passed away.
To pay tribute, families of a deceased veteran purchase a flag and a plaque with the veteran’s name on it to be placed with each flag.
The flags can typically be seen at the cemetery for two weeks and are scheduled to be taken down May 30.
On Saturday, only about 10 volunteers were on hand due to COVID-19, and no students from Yough Senior High School were asked to take part.
Federoff said the students will miss the opportunity to be involved with the event.
“The kids take special pride in the flags because they recognize the names,” she said. “It could be their grandfather, uncle or aunt.”
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