May 26, 2002 By Frances Borsodi Zajac 6 min read

Pete Porreca, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 47 in Uniontown, has been placing American flags on the graves of soldiers and veterans since the late 1940s. “I don’t care what’s going on,’ said Porreca, a World War II veteran who fought in Europe. “I go up every year. I even left work to decorate the graves. I was always proud to do that. I felt the veterans deserved them.’

Porreca is just one of dozens of veterans in the region who take time each year to decorate graves for Memorial Day. With flags supplied by Fayette County, the veterans’ organizations maintain the custom of this holiday: giving respect to those whom gave service to this country.

“That is an honor these people have coming to them,’ said Walter Scarton, a World War II veteran from Veterans of Foreign Wars Faith Gray McArdle Post 4584 in Masontown, who’s been decorating graves for 35 years. “When you put a flag on their grave, that’s what it’s all about. Memorial Day is a veterans’ holiday.’

“It’s a duty and an honor,’ said Don Burkholder, adjutant for American Legion Post 301 in Connellsville, and a Vietnam Era veteran who’s been placing flags at graves for 18 years. “We respect our departed comrades.’

Mario Antonucci, a World War II veteran from the American Legion Post 295 in Brownsville who’s been decorating graves for the past 30 to 40 years, said simply, “We feel it’s our job to do it.’

Rob Hixson, director of Fayette County Veterans Affairs Office, stated, “Every veteran should take it personally and most of them do.’

Hixson reported there are 20,953 deceased veterans in Fayette County with flag decoration done in 334 cemeteries. Fayette County pays for the 18- by 12-inch flags and the markers, which are placed at the graves. Hixson distributes the flags to the veterans’ organizations, which enlist volunteers to place the flags at graves in time for Memorial Day.

“We do it every year,’ said Charles Dantzler, commander of American Legion Dori Miller Post 824 in Buffington.

Dantzler decorates the Edenborn cemetery with adjutant Robert Rutlin and other volunteers when available.

“It doesn’t hurt me,’ said Dantzler, a Korean War veteran who’s decorated graves for many years. “It takes no more than a couple of hours.’

Veterans’ organizations share responsibility for the work, handling cemeteries in their areas, although some cemeteries or churches designate caretakers or people to place the flags.

In Uniontown, Porreca reported the VFW takes care of Sylvan Heights while the American Legion Post 51 does Oak Hill and the Catholic War Veterans handle St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s cemeteries.

In Masontown, Scarton said the veterans take care of approximately six cemeteries and distribute flags to another two cemeteries for the caretakers to place.

In Connellsville, Burkholder said the American Legion honor guard and Sons of the American Legion decorate four cemeteries in Connellsville, the smallest of which requires 19 dozen flags.

In Point Marion, Woodrow Hughes, of American Legion Samuel Hagar Post 499, reported the veterans handle not only Little Arlington cemetery in Point Marion but several small cemeteries in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

In Brownsville, Antonucci said the veterans place flags at five local cemeteries in addition to their work at Lafayette Memorial Park.

Lafayette is an example of many veterans’ organizations working together to handle one cemetery. At Lafayette, flags are placed on graves by veterans’ organizations representing Brownsville, Grindstone, California and Republic. In addition, the veterans receive help from Boy Scout Troop 664 and the Republic Lions Club.

Throughout the county, veterans’ organizations are working to complete this task in time for Memorial Day.

“Any place that needs them, we do,’ said Hughes, who served in the Marines in the 1960s. “…It’s very important to honor all soldiers.’

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, can trace its origins back to the Civil War. While many see the holiday as the start of summer, there are still those who recognize its true meaning. Nationwide, individuals and organizations place flowers on graves of soldiers and veterans, and the federal government calls for a National Moment of Remembrance, which includes a moment of silence or listening to “Taps’ at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day.

Veterans’ organizations across the district also have their own special ceremonies at local cemeteries throughout the weekend. In addition, the Point Marion veterans’ organizations have a ceremony on the Point Marion Area Veterans Memorial Bridge during the Albert Gallatin Regatta to honor sailors missing at sea.

The ceremonies and the flags are particularly important to the families of the soldiers and veterans. They appreciate the gesture.

“Without a doubt and they make sure their loved one is covered,’ said Hixson.

Most representatives of the veterans’ organizations reported they receive calls from the family if a flag or marker is not placed on a grave. To accommodate them, the veterans’ organizations carry extra markers and/or flags. Sometimes they will leave them with cemetery officials.

Burkholder said while his volunteers were placing flags this year, they were approached by a group representing Civil War soldiers buried in Hillgrove cemetery who asked for extra flags for those veterans.

Veterans are glad to accommodate requests and regularly bring extra markers to cemeteries to replace those which are damaged or stolen. They realize that having a flag on a grave is special.

“It symbolizes that the man or woman who is laid to rest served their country and defended the liberty that we all hold is true,’ said Burkholder.

For some posts, many of the veterans who decorate graves are older.

“The majority of them are my age. In another month, I’ll be 80,’ said Scarton, noting that volunteer Pete Smargie has been decorating graves for 40 years.

And yet, many officials report that volunteers who decorate the graves represent many different wars as well as those who have served the nation in peace throughout the years.

“They’re a bunch of great guys,’ said Hixson of the volunteers. “Most of them do it on their own time.’

“They’re all proud to do it,’ said Porreca. “They feel it’s their duty – not an obligation, but they’re proud to do it.’

With a war in progress, does the decorating of the graves seem extra special this year?

Said Scarton, “It’s extra special to me all the time. … All these fellows who put flags out have the same feeling.’

Burkholder noted this year has extra significance because “some of our local folks are going to be deployed, but every year is special to us. Our legionaries are very proud to do this.’