Flags and Flowers: Honoring Veterans Every Day

It was Veterans Day in 2015, a day when the United States celebrates people who serve, or once served, in the military. Preston Sharp wanted to honor his late grandfather, who was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. So Preston went with his parents to the cemetery where his grandfather was buried. He put a flag and flower next to his grandfather’s grave, but as he looked around him he noticed that the other graves of veterans didn’t have any decoration.

“I was really surprised,” Preston said. “And really disappointed.”

Preston was ten years old, but that didn’t stop him from deciding to do something about it. He started small, by earning money from his parents, family, and friends. Then he started working odd jobs and asking for donations. He reached out to others in his community. Eventually, he raised enough money to buy a flag or flower for the grave of every veteran in his grandfather’s cemetery. Preston didn’t stop with just his grandfather’s cemetery, either. He continued raising money and began visiting other cemeteries as well. Soon, his Flags and Flowers program had attention from national news. President Trump even honored him during the State of the Union address in 2018.

Preston has been visiting cemeteries for more than 10 years. He’s been to every state to lay flowers and flags at more than 300,000 graves, and he’s done it all to honor veterans.

Honoring Their Service

National cemeteries are places where veterans and their families may choose to be buried. More than 5 million people are buried in national cemeteries. Most national cemeteries are within the United States, but there are 26 American cemeteries and monuments in countries outside of the U.S.

Doug Ledbetter is the director of the Dayton National Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio. Doug believes it’s important to have national cemeteries, and for us to pay respect to the men and women buried there.

“You look out across the cemetery and you see what the cost of freedom is,” Doug said.

It’s also important to make sure that veterans are not forgotten. Sometimes people call being forgotten a kind of ‘second death.’ “One of our missions at the national cemeteries is to make sure that no veteran dies that ‘second death,’” said Doug.

Preston agrees. When he lays down flowers and flags he makes sure to say the veteran’s name. “Saying a veteran’s name keeps their spirit alive,” Preston said.

Honoring veterans is a responsibility that Preston also carries out beyond the cemeteries, too.

Recognizing Veterans Every Day

Preston makes sure to also honor men and women who currently serve in the armed forces, as well as those still alive who used to serve. One of his favorite sayings is “honor veterans every day, not just on a holiday.”

Veterans can face unique challenges. Coming back home after being far away and having participated in war can make going back to regular life difficult.

“It’s not just about what happens when they serve and all the good that they do then,” Preston said. “They risk their lives for their country, but then they come home and they don’t have anyone to talk to. I try to talk with as many veterans as I can…”

Never Too Young

Being young never stood in Preston’s way. He saw something that needed to change, and he found a way to make a difference.

Preston encourages other kids to talk with veterans as well.

“I try to get this message across to everyone, especially younger people, that if you see a veteran, tell them ‘thank you for your service.’ Just saying that can change their life, even their day,” he said.

Come rain or shine, Preston will continue putting flags and flowers at the graves of veterans who have died and talking with those who are living. He hopes that you do the same as well.