GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The community came together at Grand Rapids Veterans Home Cemetery Wednesday afternoon to honor those who served our country.
The annual event brought out dozens of volunteers, veterans and scouts to plant over 5,000 flags next to gravesites of veterans buried at the cemetery. It’s located on Monroe Avenue NE, next to Michigan Veteran Homes.
James Redford, the event’s keynote speaker and a Navy veteran, told News 8 that he still gets emotional every year he attends the event.
Scouts of America and other volunteers place flags on gravesites at Grand Rapids Veterans Home Cemetery. (May 21, 2025)
“It’s very emotional, it’s heartwarming,” he said. “These are inspiring heroes of a republic who rest here and we get to honor them tonight, it’s a privilege.”
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For Barry Graham, it was a similar feeling. Graham is an Air Force veteran and came to the event with his grandson, who is a Boy Scout. He told News 8 he was proud to see the large turnout.
“It’s very good to see this event with so many people on a rainy day to plant flags in honor of those who, most of them died for their country so that we could still be here and as free as we can get,” he said.
Among the volunteers were Scouts of America, and the attendees spanned generations.
“As leaders in scouting, we pass that knowledge down to our scouts from our littlest kindergarten Lion Scout all the way up to our Eagle Scouts and beyond. We want them to know what our veterans did for us,” said Kim Korff, district chair for the Eagle Spirit District of Scouting America.
Shawn Lowing with Troupe 345 of Scouting America told News 8 that citizenship and service are a part of the scouting cores. He said he is happy to see the younger generations learning the importance of honoring veterans.
“It warms my heart seeing them grow up to be good citizens,” he said.
The cemetery has about 5,400 gravesites and spans over 12 acres. Through Memorial Day, the flags will lay next to each gravestone to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
“I ask that the lord gives me the strength and courage that these women and men that served our country did,” Redford said. “I hope when my day comes, I get to live here too.”
The event concluded with a final salute and a performance of taps.
