Broken tree branches reached toward the heavy gray clouds over Maple Hill Cemetery as young and old placed small American flags on the veterans’ headstones.
Groups representing a cross section of Huntsville navigated fallen trees, broken limbs and overturned headstones to place flags on each veteran’s gravesite. The damage on the historic cemetery resulted from an EF-2 tornado which tore through Maple Hill Cemetery on May 8.
The groups placing the flags were prepared to navigate the work crews removing the fallen trees and other hazards left by the tornado which started near Walker Avenue and cut a path north of Governors Drive.
“There were no challenges with the damage,” retired Sgt. Maj. Randy Wise, placing flags with the People Tech crew, said. “We got a map that told us what not to do and we passed it on to everybody working.”
The tornado’s estimated maximum wind speed was 122 mph.
“The Maple Hill Cemetery crew has been doing an excellent job,” Wise said about the cleanup. “They were here all day yesterday.”
Despite the damage, almost 100 people showed up Saturday to honor the fallen by placing an American flag at each of the 6,000 veterans’ graves.
Sophie Hutson, a student at Madison Academy, was among those who showed up.
“My grandfather is a veteran,” Hutson said. “He served in the U.S. Navy, in WWII, and he’s here in this cemetery. I just thought it would be fascinating to honor others that are here, too. They were veterans, just like him. I have a lot of respect for him. It’s amazing the things these veterans have done.”
Jimmy Sapp, with VFW Post 2702, said his group was able to place over 3,200 of the American flags.
“We have about 30-40 people show up, from 5 and 6 years old up to old geezers,” Sapp said laughing.
“Community service is a vital function of the VFW. It’s part of our mission,” he said, standing next to a pickup truck which was filled with American flags a few minutes before. “This is honoring veterans which is another part of our mission. Getting the kids involved and getting patriotism out there is important.”
“We know that honoring our veterans is important to our country and our freedom,” Wise said. “Those of us on this side of the dirt are here because of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
The flags will be up in Maple Hill Cemetery through June 1, according to Sapp. VFW Post 2702 welcomes volunteers to help remove the 6,000 flags and can be reached through VFW Post 2702’s Facebook page.
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