NewsLocal News

Actions

Fort Logan National Cemetery tells group to remove flags honoring fallen soldiers

Posted at 3:55 PM, Nov 10, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-10 19:54:29-05

DENVER -- This is a special time in our country as we honor those who served on Veterans Day. 

But one group says their gesture to honor fallen soldiers was not appreciated when they were told to remove thousands of flags placed on headstones at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver Friday.
 
The national cemetery is a special place for Marine Corps veteran Gary Gould. That’s why he volunteered to come out with about a dozen other patriots, who call themselves Flags for Fort Logan, to place flags on headstones for Veterans Day.
 
“I saw the page on Facebook the other day, and I just said 'that’s something I’ve got to do,'” said Gould.
 
But as they began placing the flags of honor, a cemetery employee approached them with different plans, and it was caught on camera by one of the volunteers.
 
“Graves in national cemeteries are decorated with small grave flags on Memorial Day Weekend only,” said the cemetery employee.
 
He told them they should have gotten permission, but group coordinator Jennifer Skalecke says that’s never been a problem before.
 
“I feel that these people have given the ultimate sacrifice and they definitely should be honored and respected on Veterans Day as well as Memorial Day,” said Skalecke.
 
This is the fifth year the group has come out to honor veterans. Last year, they planted 500 flags. This was set to be their biggest year with 3,000 flags
 
So instead of placing the personally donated flags on some of the 106,000 veterans' graves, they’re picking them up and questioning cemetery policy.
 
“I find it kind of insulting and ludicrous. I don’t see any reason for it. And we can’t find anything that tells us we can’t do it,” said Skalecke.
 
Denver7 called the cemetery but haven’t heard back yet.
 
Their website lists certain times of the year when adornments may be allowed but doesn't mention anything about Veterans Day. The policy does say no permanent plantings, statues or other breakable objects are allowed on graves.
 
That’s a policy the group hopes to change by next Veterans Day.
 
“I think people should be able to express their appreciation anytime they feel like it,” said Skalecke.