Overview
- Hundreds of volunteers worked at the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown to place about 13,250 American flags across graves as part of the annual Memorial Day tradition.
- The Middletown placement continued this year in honor of longtime organizer Michael A. Rogalsky, who died in March, and a Memorial Day ceremony is scheduled at the cemetery.
- Volunteer groups at Middletown and in Lynnwood included Vietnam Veterans of America chapters, scout troops, youth groups, families, and members of the public with flags provided on site and no registration required.
- Participants said the events teach younger volunteers about service and gratitude and also provide social connection and informal support for living veterans who attend.
- Organizers warned that local veterans groups are shrinking as members age, which increases reliance on youth and community volunteers to sustain the decades-old flag-placement tradition.