Last Saturday morning, the Marengo County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5377 started a program in which they would like to place a flagpole in every cemetery in which veterans are buried. There are currently no flagpoles in any of the major community cemeteries.

The first cemetery to be honored with a flagpole was the Memorial Gardens in Demopolis. Memorial Gardens was selected first because there are currently more than 150 veterans buried there.

Jr. Vice Commander Alfred P. Warren said they have already received permission to place flagpoles in three local cemeteries Memorial Gardens, Riverside and the old city cemetery in Linden. Other community cemeteries will be considered when funds become available.

Sergeant at Arms Lee Belcher has also helped in getting this project started.

“We are currently seeking permission to place another flagpole in the new cemetery on Highway 28 in Linden,” Belcher said.

Warren said that the local cemetery boards have already decided on the placement of the flagpoles in the cemeteries. The VFW Post is also working with boards of church cemeteries to obtain flagpoles at discounted prices.

He said the Post received a special price from a flag supplier for the 25-foot poles. Each pole installed with flags will cost the Post around $450.

Belcher wants to make sure everyone knows that this project is not being funded with the proceeds from the monument fund, which paid for the Veterans Monument in front of the Marengo County Courthouse.

“The funds raised for the courthouse monument are used for the perpetual care of the monument,” Belcher said.

Anyone who would like to help with this project and help reach the goal to honor all of our deceased veterans in Marengo County are encouraged to do so. Send your contribution, designating which community cemetery you want the funds to be used for, to VFW Flagpole Project, P.O. BOX 480416, Linden, AL 36748.

Warren said the Post has enough funds for the installation of the first four flagpoles. Others will be installed when funds become available.