~ Press release submitted by VFW, American Legion
STANLEY, May 28 — The Page County Technical Center (PCTC) morning Welding II class just completed a project to assist local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion posts.
As many know, Memorial Day is a time to pause and remember the men and women of our Armed Services who served, many who made the ultimate sacrifice, in the defense of our nation. To honor these brave souls, the VFW and American Legion place an American flag next to veterans’ headstones to recognize their service and location of their burial each Memorial Day weekend.
The hardness of the ground often makes the placement of the wooden stick of the flag difficult, so those placing the flags use whatever tools are available to create a hole in which to place the flags. Over the years, one device was developed to assist in making the holes for the flag placement — a piece of rebar with a cross section welded upon it so one can stand holding the rebar, and using their foot, create a hole for the flag.
This year, more than 800 flags were placed on veterans’ graves. The rebar ground punch was a huge benefit to this effort. Over the years, the number of punches has dwindled to only a few remaining in the VFW/American Legion’s inventory.
Learning of the shortage of these tools, the Page County Technical Center Welding II class undertook the mission of making more than a dozen new tools for the VFW and American Legion. The tools were presented to members of the VFW and American Legion at PCTC, and they will greatly aid in future placement of flags.
The students are to be commended for their contribution of time and talent to complete this community service project, as well as their demonstration of patriotism in honor of our departed veterans. The members of the VFW and American Legion want to express their heartfelt thanks for the efforts of PCTC’s welding class.
For more information about the Page County Technical Center, CLICK HERE.
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