Flags In - Memorial Day 2021_May

Suzy Lutz folds a star spangled bandana for Trane - a service dog in training. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Tim Stroud and his wife are fostering Trane.

Two puppies in training with Continuing the Mission (CTM) and the organizaitons “Ambassador” were on hand Sunday as Scouts, JROTC Cadets, and volunteers gathered to place flags on the graves in the three cemeteries across town.

Former Army officer John Woods told the volunteers about his Dad’s service during WWII and his brother’s tragic death in Vietnam - both are buried at Mimosa Cemetery in Davidson. The group of volunteers placed flags at Mimosa, Christian Aid Society, and the Davidson College cemeteries.

Davidson resident and former Army 1st Lt. Irvin Brawley talked to scouts and ROTC Cadets about his service during Vietnam.

First Sergeant (Retired) Daryl Hayes is the senior enlisted leader at the JROTC program at Hough High School. He coordinated cadet participation in the Flags In event and also shared his story about his service in the U.S. Army.

Retired First Sergeant Daryl Hayes tells his story of service in the U.S. Army.

Retired U.S. Army First Sergeant Daryl Hayes continues to serve - now with the JROTC cadets at Hough High School.

Former Marine Bob Doran talked about his service during the Vietnam War and what that service has meant to him in the years since.

It was hard not to let the CTM dogs steal the event.

Suzy Lutz (blue t-shirt) is a co-founder of Continuing the Mission, a Davidson-based nonprofit that trains and provides service dogs to Veterans with PTSD. Three CTM dogs were on hand for the “Flags In” event.

Suzy Lutz (blue t-shirt), co-founder of Continuing the Mission, a local nonprofit that trains and provides service dogs for Veterans with PTSD.

Davidson native and retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Tim Stroud spoke to the group about his service and his current volunteer work with Continuing the Mission.

Recently retired Air Force Colonel Aaoron Steffens joined his two scouts sons at Mimosa Cemetery for the Flags In even to place flags at the graves of Veterans buried in the three cemeteries across town.

J. D. Densmore, a West Point graduate and former Army officer, currently serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 58.

“Joint Selfie” - Jane (U.S. Navy), Mike Murphy (U.S. Army), Tim Stroud (U.S. Army), Bob Doran (U.S. Marine Corps), Aaron Steffens (U.S. Air Force), John Woods (U.S. Army).

More than two dozen Veterans are buried in the Christian Aid Cemetery on the Davidson College campus. By my best estimate, all but two of those Veterans served in uniform - swearing an Oath to the Constitution - when they did NOT have the right to vote.

Colonel, U.S. Air Force Retired, Aaron Steffens and his sons are relatively new to Davidson, and helped out with placing flags at Veterans graves throughout Davidson.