There are six new flags flying high at the Plains cemetery. The last two years, five of the the flags were being purchased by the Plains VFW Post 3596. At 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 4, the Plains cemetery sexton Ken Jones raised the American flag, an MIA flag and five military flags; Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard. Four employees of the Gambles store in Plains made this possible through their generosity and in memory of family members who have served in the United States military. Denise Newman, John Lemro, Brittany Cook, and Margaret McNeil bought the flags that are now flying at the Plains cemetery. They contacted Joe Eisenbrandt, who knows where the American made flags can be purchased and ordered them. A local family has decided to buy the American flag for the cemetery for the next several generations of the family. This is the first time that there has been a MIA flag flying at the cemetery. McNeil spoke about the purchase of the six flags by herself and the other employees.

“All of us helped buy the military flags. Denise bought the Army and Air Force flags. Brittany bought the Coast Guard flag. John bought the Marine Corps flag in memory and honor of his mom who was a sergeant and is active on the planning board,” McNeil said. “I bought the MIA flag in memory of my husband’s brother, Dale McNeil. He was a master chief petty officer who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. People enjoy the flags and it shows respect for the military. If it wasn’t for the military we would not have our freedoms.”

Reporter Douglas Wilks can be reached at dwilks@vp-mi.com or 406-826-3402.