Avenue of Flags

In March 1986, Walter Kirchhefer donated to the American Legion Auxiliary a memorial gift of $ 160.00 in memory of his wife Miriam, who had participated in all phases of the American Legion Auxiliary in the Sutton Unit and also the Department of Nebraska. This memorial sparked the idea of making a display at the Sutton cemetery for the casket flags of deceased veterans. Walt approved and was happy with the idea. It was presented to the auxiliary members and was enthusiastically approved by them. A committee, consisting of Virginia Smith, Lucyle Sterkel and Artis Lemkau was appointed to form the "Avenue of Flags." Bill Borders, Bill Hale and the Clay Center Legion members and Dale Lemkau gave advice concerning the project behind the scenes.

Twenty flags lined the main entrance street of the cemetery on Memorial Day, May 1986. The poles were wooden, costing $ 6.50 each, plus the cost of hardware to attach flags to the poles. The pipe used to make the stand for the flags in the ground, was donated by KN Energy. Through the years these flag holders in the ground at the cemetery were made by Bob Sterkel, Bob Hunzeker, Paul Schneider, Ted Schroetlin, Ernest Traudt, Bill Hale, Herman Ulmer and in later years, the city employees. Donations from families of deceased veterans, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Cemetery Board have financed this project.

In 1988, a strong wind blew on Memorial Day which broke half of the wooden flag poles. The decision was made to replace them with poles from pipe.

Early morning volunteers on Memorial Day to put up the flags and take them down in the evening, have been auxiliary members, their spouses, firemen, veterans families and others.

The twenty burial casket flags in 1986 has increased to 92 in 2000 forming our "Avenue of Flags" at the Sutton cemetery. Monte Lemkau has established a fitting tribute at the Sutton Catholic cemetery using 3x5 flags in memory of all veterans.

These flags which line the cemetery streets wave beautifully and reverently to everyone visiting the cemetery on Memorial Day showing our love and appreciation for the men and women in our community who served our beloved United States of America during war and peace.

ENJOY

For the names of the men and women who have graciously donated their Flag for the Avenue of Flags, please click here. (pdf)