‘Thank you, sir’: Veteran says placing flags on military graves ‘humbling’
Amanda Steen | Herald-Standard
In the top photo reflected in his glasses is a flag veteran Dan Clark places on a grave of military personnel at St. John Byzantine Catholic Cemetery in Hopwood as part of his duties as an officer of the George C. Marshall Post 103 of AMVETS in Hopwood. Volunteers, such as Clark, who served in the Air Force from 1981-85, perform this simple rite of appreciation across the nation each year in time for Memorial Day. Directly above, Clark places flags on graves at St. John Byzantine Catholic Cemetery in Hopwood. “Thank you, sir,” says Clark after he places each flag on a grave.
Amanda Steen | Herald-Standard
HOPWOOD — With reverence and humility, veteran Dan Clark of Hopwood placed flags on the graves of servicemen and servicewomen recently at St. John Byzantine Catholic Cemetery.
He pulled up each military marker, checked to make sure it was in good condition and then placed a small American flag in it and returned the marker to the ground. Before leaving each spot, Clark stopped and expressed his gratitude.
“Thank you, sir.”
This is Clark’s first year to perform the duty on behalf of George C. Marshall Post 103 of the AMVETS, based in Hopwood. Clark is second vice commander and placing flags on military graves for Memorial Day is one of his duties.
“It’s an honor and privilege to do this. It really is,” said Clark, 53, an air force veteran who is from a military family.
Clark is one of many volunteers throughout the district placing flags on military graves in time for Memorial Day. This simple gesture of appreciation is an annual rite that is performed throughout the nation. A check with local Veterans Affairs offices showed that 28,800 flags were distributed this year in Fayette County and more than 5,000 in Greene County.
AMVETS in Hopwood is responsible for placing flags on 830 graves in five cemeteries: Hopwood Memorial Cemetery, Jewish Holy Society Cemetery, St. John Byzantine Catholic, St. Joseph Roman Catholic, all in Hopwood, and Walnut Hill Cemetery in Georges Township. Clark said some graves go back as far as the Civil War.
Clark said a group of volunteers care for Hopwood Memorial so he gave them the necessary flags and took on the rest of the cemeteries himself. Clark said he had “plenty of offers from volunteers,” including Hopwood businessman Ted Sova who promised his employees to help.
Clark, who works with Sova, said, “I appreciate it but I’m getting it done in the evenings. It’s enjoyable to me to do this – to pay respect and honor these folks this time of year.”
A 1978 graduate of German Township High School, Clark served in the air force from 1981-85 and was stationed at Loring Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command base located in Maine that is now closed. Clark was in the vehicle support unit. Altogether, he’s worked about 40 years in automotive industry, including 20 years in the automotive paint business.
While his three sons, Jeremy, Jesse and Nicholas, have not served in the military, Clark has several relatives who have, including his father, uncles and a cousin as well as the father and five uncles of his wife, Christine. They have served in World War II, Vietnam and in peacetime.
“I just decided it was a good thing for me,” said Clark of his own decision to join the air force. “You get some training and, number one, you serve your country.”
The weather was cool but sunny when Clark came to St. John cemetery recently after work. He had already placed flags at two cemeteries on other days.
“I was worried the other night. It was windy and I had done St. Joseph’s cemetery. I was worried about the flags but they stayed,” Clark said, pointing in the direction of St. Joseph, which is adjacent to St. John.
Clark hoped to place flags at Walnut Hill that same evening. He estimated his time at 12 hours over three evenings to complete the project. He called the experience “humbling.”
Pulling flags out of the back of his white, pick-up truck, Clark deflected any credit given to himself, instead talking about the work done by the AMVETS honor guard, which performs graveside services for servicemen and servicewomen at funerals throughout the year.
“They deserve a lot of praise,” said Clark. “They never miss a beat, no matter the weather. They are true, genuine people.”
He noted, “When you’re involved in veterans organizations, there’s a real sense of camaraderie. They look out for each other.”
Clark walked back to the truck for more flags and turned to look at the flags already installed.
“They look nice, don’t they?” he said. “It makes a difference. It’s something to see when they’re all up. I was very impressed when I saw it.”
But, pointing to the graves, he noted, “These folks are the ones who deserve respect. We have freedom because of them. There’s a lot of folks doing this every year and they don’t want any credit. They are happy to do it. There are folks all over the county — all over the country doing this.”
With that, Clark turned back to his work, checking markers, placing flags and stopping at each grave.
“Thank you, sir.”