On a weekend set aside to honor those who served, many community members joined together to refresh that tradition. They gathered at the Mansield Cemetery to raise a new flag on a new flagpole.
Doug Theaker, a local Korean War Veteran who belongs to the Richland County Korean War Veterans Association (Chapter 51), spoke during the dedication. He addressed the buried veterans by “heroes of the past.”
“This is wonderful. I live in this greatest country and I look up to the clouds everyday to thank God to live here,” said Theaker. “In the military, there is a lot of bonding. And with organizations like this (Chapter 51) it comes back. I’m thankful,” he added.
As part of the ceremony, a plaque was dedicated to the new flag pole site. The plaque has the names of 52 men who died while serving. The plaque was made to recognize those veterans who were buried in what Theaker described as “poverty graves.”
St. Peter’s Boy Scout Troop 121 was also in attendance. Jacob Randall, a Life Scout, played the bugle to commence the dedication. Isaiah Corso-Phinney, an Eagle Scout, was one of the four color guards. The Eckelberry Boy Scout Troop was in attendance as well, along with the Richland County Young Marines.
Jim Phinney, father of Eagle Scout Isaiah Corso-Phinney, joined others in placing flags next to tombstones. His father served in World War II, and although he was not killed in the war, Phinney remembers those days his father served overseas.
“Even though these graves are pretty old, it doesn’t make their sacrifices any less meaningful. I remember when my dad was over in Europe and helping my mom … It was a very meaningful part of his life. I’ll never forget it,” shared Phinney.
After the flag pole dedication, the boy scouts, family members and other community members placed flags next to veterans’ tombstones. The Mansfield Cemetery is lined with American Flags, a tribute to those serving our country and honoring those who have.
