TOP STORY OF THE DAY, brought to you free by WICU: Brazil DAR chapter seeks flag on every veteran’s grave

Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Janella Knierim and Leesa Nesty are members of the Brazil DAR organization seeking to honor all graves of veterans buried in Clay County.
Submitted photo

The local chapter of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) has a 4 year project entitled “No Veteran Without a Flag.”

The group has a booth at the Clay County Fair this week but will continue with its work for 4 more years with the goal of having an American flag on the grave of every veteran buried in Clay County.

An American flag placed on a grave honors the veteran who served our country. However, with around 115 cemeteries in Clay County, some graves have been overlooked.

The members of the local Eliza Rizley Stacey Chapter of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) have taken it upon themselves to start a four-year project to identify all veterans in all cemeteries in Clay County. It is a part of the “America 250” national DAR program to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday in 2026.

“All of these men and women who served our country whether in a time of war or peace deserve our honor and respect,” DAR Regent Janella Knierim said. “They gave everything for the defense of our nation. We should remember their sacrifice.”

Deborah Smith, the DAR Veterans Committee Chair, added, “Freedom is not free. It requires sacrifice.”

The group plans to research records from the Clay County Veterans Office, the Clay County Genealogical Society, and the Clay County Historical Society to do the best that they can to locate all veterans’ graves in Clay County. The DAR is also asking for the public’s help in identifying graves.

“If you know of a veteran’s grave in any of the 115 Clay County cemeteries, please contact our group at noveteranwithoutaflag@gmail.com. We need to know the veteran’s name, branch of service, war/conflict, and burial location,” Leesa Nesty, DAR Veterans Committee member, said. “We would appreciate the public’s help with our project in order to complete it in four years.”

Another way to help the DAR is to purchase a “No Veteran Without a Flag” t-shirt. The t-shirts can be viewed and ordered at the Clay County Fair this week. The public can also find information on the No Veteran Without a Flag Facebook page which will continue for the duration of the project. Orders can also be placed by emailing noveteranwithoutaflag@gmail.com.

Over the years, the Eliza Rizley Stacey Chapter of the DAR has done several projects for Clay County including sponsoring the DAR Good Citizen Award for high school students, organizing the American History Essay Contest for grades 5-8, cleaning headstones of veterans, working with the Honor Flight program for veterans, and supporting local veterans’ organizations.

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