BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – The Raleigh County Veterans Museum kicked off Memorial Day with a Sunday candlelight service at the American Legion Cemetery to honor the 247 veterans buried there.
Museum president Ron Hedrick says it’s to allow families to celebrate their loved one’s life and also to show young people that this holiday means something.
“By seeing that it won’t be forgotten,” said Hedrick, of American Legion Post 32. “Now, it doesn’t mean we want them to go out and have parties and stuff. We want them to remember the reason why we have Memorial Day and celebrate those who gave all to serve our country and make sure we stay free.”
According to Hedrick, it comes along with displaying the flag, which reminds people what this country has fought for, to keep that flag flying free.
The West Virginia Gold Star Mothers shared a memorial photo blanket with the museum to display. It has 65 Mountain State soldiers who passed since Sept 11.
“And we have the honor flags that people purchased displayed out in front of the museum,” Hedrick said. ” Today, they can take that flag and put it on their loved one’s gravesite who is buried at a family cemetery.”
