Close to 200 Methuen residents showed up to replace 6,000 worn flags on veterans’ graves at the city’s nine cemeteries. This event is run solely by students from Methuen High School’s JROTC program as well as student volunteers from Greater Lawrence Technical School.
By law, veterans get a new flag placed at their gravesite each year. In Methuen, this effort takes place prior to Memorial Day.
Acting Veterans Service Officer Tim Sheehy, who served with the Marines, greeted everyone in attendance at Elwood Cemetery and City Councilor Mike Simard, an Air Force veteran, thanked the volunteers. Naval Senior Chief Bill Rohr gave the invocation.
Sheehy recognized Shaw’s for providing water and fruit, Ellie’s Farmhouse for donating breakfast sandwiches and Heav’nly Donuts for coffee.
JROTC and student volunteers Matthew M’Rabu, Amir Ghattas, Sophia Oliveira, Ethan Montas and Yousina Metry Samour gathered their groups of residents who signed up online to participate. The groups then went to their designated areas seeking out vets’ graves, replacing a faded Old Glory with a crisp, bright U.S. flag.
~ Nancy Reardon
Marine veteran Mark Dawson (left) is shown with family members LJ McGinnis, 9, who is wearing his grandfather’s cap from Vietnam, and LJ’s dad Larry McGinnis. They are fully stocked with new flags to distribute.
Paula Dimario and her grandson Frank Criscitello, 14, are ready to get to work!
This event is organized by student volunteers every year, with minimal help from the Veterans Department.
