Each year, just prior to Memorial Day, Newtown VFW Post 308 places more than 1,000 new flags on the graves of all veterans buried in Newtown, a way to honor departed service members.vfwpost308newtown@gmail.com.vfwpost308.com.

On Thursday, May 19 (rain date May 26), at 5 pm, members will meet at VFW Post 308, Freedom Defender's Way (Tinkerfield Road), to begin the task of replacing flags on veteran's grave sites in Newtown and Sandy Hook with new American flags. This year, Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 30.

Individual volunteers or organizations are welcome to help place flags. For information on volunteering, contact

Donations to offset the cost of these flags are also appreciated. A PayPal account is set up at

Also, VFW members will be in the community at various locations for two weekends prior to Memorial Day, with poppies.

In 1915, during World War I, Dr John McCrae visited a cemetery in Flanders, France. He noticed how the poppy flowers grew "between the crosses, row on row," and was inspired to write the now-famous poem, "In Flanders Fields."

In 1922, the Veterans of Foreign Wars conducted its first poppy distribution. It made the poppy a trademark guarantee that all poppies bearing that name and the VFW label are genuine products of the work of disabled and needy veterans.

The VFW Buddy Poppy program provides compensation to the veterans who assemble the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans' rehabilitation and service programs, and the VFW National Home For Children in Eaton Rapids.

All donations support their intended purpose.