Dear editor,

In spite of the recent tornadoes that severely damaged the Ringgold/Catoosa County area, we still honored our deceased veterans for this Memorial Day by placing their crosses and flags throughout the streets of Ringgold.

It would have been impossible to raise the 930 flags and crosses without the help of Lt. Col. Paul Simpson and M. Sgt. Carl Gentry and their large group of Air Force Junior ROTC students from Ridgeland High School, and Julia Gaston’s Future Business Leaders of America groups from Ringgold Middle School. It was hot, but the students were mounting the flags as soon as we brought them.

I wish it was possible to list the names of each one of these young people. I know I speak for all the older volunteers who began working with this project when the number of deceased veterans was much smaller. We thank each of these leaders and parents for allowing students to participate in this tribute to those who served our country. Thanks also to the regular volunteers who are so dependable, as well as those who helped for the first time this year.

If you have not seen the beautiful sight – over 900 full-size flags flying proudly on fourteen-foot metal poles inserted in two-foot crosses inscribed with each veteran’s name and branch of service – we invite you to drive through the streets of Ringgold between now and June 5.

The flags will be taken down on June 6, and volunteers will also be needed then.

Pete Pedigo and the flag crew, Catoosa County