MANSFIELD – Thousands of American flags decorate the grounds of the Mansfield Cemetery this weekend, placed to honor those who have died in service to our nation.
According to Tony Delong, executive director of the Richland County Veterans Service Commission, there are 7,000 veterans buried in Mansfield Cemetery. On Saturday morning, every inch of the cemetery’s grounds were walked in search of these veterans, not wanting a single one to be missed.
The annual event is organized by the Richland County Veterans Service Commission and sponsored by the Mansfield Community Memorial and Patriotic Association. Delong said close to 200 people showed up on Saturday to place flags in honor of Memorial Day, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.
“I’m always touched by all those who want to come out and honor us who have served,” Delong said. “Having been retired 20 years from the Army myself, I’ve lost a few friends that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. That’s what Memorial Day means to me.”
Delong said at least 40 people who showed up on Saturday morning were citizens of Richland County who simply wanted to help. One of those people was Maggie Varga, an Ontario resident who immigrated to the United States from Hungary in 1957.
Varga, who is in her 80s, carried an armful of flags while trying to keep up with her 10-year-old great-grandson Seth as he ran from grave to grave placing flags. She said she wanted to bring Seth with her today while he was visiting from Tennessee to teach him the importance of giving back.
“It’s just a nice thing to do,” Varga said. “He didn’t want to come at first, but I think he’s having a good time.”
In addition to average citizens, about 150 of the people walking the cemetery on Saturday were members of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America. Brenda Forbes, assistant district commissioner of the Johnny Appleseed Trail District, was there on Saturday with a special mission for Boy Scout Troop 116.
“For about 10 years now, American Legion Post 16 has asked us to take special care of the Veterans Honor Ground cemetery,” Forbes said. “We maintain that cemetery at least three times a year.”
Boys ranging from fifth graders to seniors in high school helped drill holes next to the graves in the Veterans Honor Ground to place flags. The troop also headed to the square in downtown Mansfield with buckets of soap and water to wash all the memorials in Central Park.
Forbes noted that during their morning at Mansfield Cemetery, many Boy Scouts took notice of the names on the graves, the dates of birth and death, and the differences in the monuments.
“It opens up that line of communication where we can talk to them about what it means to be a veteran and the importance of putting the flags up,” Forbes said. “This isn’t just a three-day weekend where we get to have a day off, this is to honor those people who allow us to live the way we do today.”
According to Delong, there are 467 veterans buried in the Veterans Honor Ground, located in the farthest western corner of the Mansfield Cemetery. This summer, that section of the cemetery is going through a major reconstruction as each of the marble headstones will be replaced with brand-new granite and perfectly aligned.
“Ohio being a bad weather state of rain, freeze and fall it disturbs the ground, and causes these stones and tablets to move and lean. Over the course of 40 years that will happen,” Delong said. “That will take place beginning in June, with a completion date on September 1.”
Delong also noted that Memorial Day weekend is also a time to reach out to veterans and their families, and make them aware of the services of the Veterans Service Commission. At least 5,000 clients last year were assisted in learning about their federal, state and local benefits.
“It is truly our honor to serve, and to serve those who have served,” Delong said.
