"Operation Flag" Returns to Westerville May 17

Date: 05/08/2008
Number of Views: 169

What is Operation Flag? Operation Flag was founded in 1988 by Franklin County Auditor, Joe Testa, while serving as County Recorder. The goal of the Operation Flag committee was to ensure that every veteran’s grave within the county was decorated on Memorial Day. As the condition of many abandoned cemeteries was realized, the goal of the Operation Flag Committee grew to include restoration. Each year, the Committee chooses a cemetery in need of attention. Veterans whose stones are illegible, beyond repair, or no long exist are given new stones. With the aid of service groups and community volunteers, headstones are repaired and reset, general clean up is performed, and flowers planted. The project concludes with a re-dedication ceremony held at 3:00 PM on Memorial Day.

Operation Flag 2008.  Several years ago Operation Flag worked to restore Olde Methodist Cemetery. This year they will aid in restoring the oldest section of Pioneer Cemetery.  This section was originally known as Jameson Cemetery, named for Robert Jameson, who donated the land in 1817. Many Blendon Township pioneers can be found within this section, as well as 18 veterans from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. As part of the 2008 project, new stones will be placed for Lt. Cruger Wright and Private Origin Rugg, both veterans of the War of 1812.

Mark Your Calendars to Volunteer. The City’s Service Department will be assisting Operation Flag in resetting some of the larger stones.  However there is still much more work to be done. Headstones need repaired, many others need cleaned, and flowers need planted. Work party dates have been set for May 17, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This is a wonderful opportunity for the Westerville community to honor, and thank, its founding families! Mark your calendars to join Operation Flag on either, or both, of these dates!

*please bring gloves, buckets, soft bristled scrub brushes, and shovels if possible.

Looking for Descendants. As part of the re-dedication ceremony, descendants place wreaths on the graves of soldiers receiving new stones. Operation Flag is currently looking for relatives of Cruger Wright and Origin Rugg. If you are a descendant, or know of a descendant, of either of these two veterans, please contact Shelley May at 462-6272.

Memorial Day.  Please make plans to join us Memorial Day, May 26, 2008, at 3:00 PM and pay tribute those that have served to ensure the freedom we enjoy today!