Tip of the H.A.T.: Dozens of Volunteers Help VSC Place Memorial Day Flags

During Memorial Day weekend, more than 40 members of the Summit County community teamed up with the VSC honor fallen veterans by visiting local cemeteries and placing flags on their gravesites. Volunteers of all ages showed up on Saturday, May 26, to help plant flags at East Liberty Cemetery in Green and Greensburg Cemetery in North Canton.

“We had a great turnout of dedicated participants this year who volunteered their time to help us honor those who have sacrificed their lives for this country,” said David Burden, project manager, VSC. “We certainly appreciate their efforts, and we hope they choose to support us again next year as we continue this proud Memorial Day tradition.”

Volunteers included members of the Summit County Valor Court and staff from the Akron branch of Herzing University. A local Arby’s restaurant provided lunches for participants.

Summit County resident Gary Bekelesky, a U.S. Army veteran who served from 1992 to 1999, was one of many who came out to help plant flags, making it a “family affair” with his wife and two children. Though this was Bekelesky’s first year volunteering with the VSC, he has regularly helped with flag-planting events in the past. As a child, he often accompanied his father, a World War II veteran, during similar outings with a now defunct Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

“My father was a veteran, I’m a veteran and I’ve always believed in honoring veterans that fight and serve our country,” Bekelesky said. “My kids were excited to go out and help. It was truly an honor for me and my family.”

To learn more about volunteer opportunities with the VSC, please call David Burden at 330-643-7636 or send an email to dburden@vscsummitoh.us.