the memorial salute of flags project history
We are proud to be Americans.
We value our Freedom.
We wish to honor our United State Veterans.
We want to preserve our Country's history.
Why do we fly the Flag?
HISTORY:
In 1982, Peter R Teahen and Patrick Lester formed the Memorial Salute of Flags Committee to pay honor to area veterans.
Why Should I Donate:
When a veteran dies, the United States government presents a 9 1/2 ft. x 5 ft. American flag to the veterans family. Because of the size of the flags, most families are unable to properly display the flag. Therefore the flags often end up in the back of closets, in dresser drawers, sold at garage sales, or even discarded. There are literally thousands of these "Burial Flags" just waiting to be used for a meaningful project. The Memorial Salute of Flags collect these flags year round and flies them on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Veterans Day. The flags are flown on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Ave. bridges in downtown Cedar Rapids. Each flag is identified with the veteran's name and is safe-guarded by the Memorial Salute of Flags committee.
The oldest flag presented to the committee to date came from a family of a veteran killed in 1918. The oldest war represented in the collection is the Spanish American War. The committee has received flags from as far away as California, South Dakota, Colorado, and Arkansas.
The Cedar Rapids Traffic Engineering staff along with two veterans ensure the flags are erected and taken down with great respect. Besides flags, volunteers and financial help to defray expenses of insurance and labor would be appreciated.
HOW DO I DONATE:
Flags may be left at the Teahen Funeral Home, 3100 F Ave. N.W., Cedar Rapids, IA 52405. There is no charge to donate the flag. When you donate your flag you will be asked to fill out a form which lists your name and address, the veteran's name, and branch of service, if known. (See the CONTACT US page for directions.)