More than 34,000 American Flags Placed at Veteran's Graves

Flags Distributed to More than 75 Oneida County Locations In Honor of Memorial Day

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced today that 34,140 American flags purchased by the county have been placed at veterans’ gravesites at more than 75 different locations in honor of Memorial Day.

“Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for all of those who gave their lives for this great country,” Picente said. “One of the ways we choose to honor them is by placing flags at their gravesites every Memorial Day. It is the least we as a community can do for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

The 12”x18” flags were all made in the U.S. and purchased from U.S. Flag Marker in Marietta, Georgia through the Oneida County Department of Veterans Services for a total of $20,324.

The flags are given to each location upon request and then each location gathers hundreds of volunteers to place the flags at gravesites throughout just about every city, town and village in the county.

The lights on the Oneida County Office Building in downtown Utica will also be lit red, white and blue throughout the weekend and into Memorial Day to honor those military members who lost their lives fighting for our country.

Those interested in assisting in flag placement next year, can call their local cemetery to find ways to get involved. Any cemetery, municipality or veterans organization looking to place flags at gravesites where it is not already being done can call the Department of Veterans Services at 315-336-4270 or 315-798-5830.