Joyce Weaver stands beside a sign recognizing the people and organizations that donated to the Silverbrook Cemetery Veterans Service Flag Display project. Submitted photo

Completed in April, the Veterans Service Flag Display at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles holds special meaning for Niles resident Joyce Weaver.

Buried there is Weaver’s late husband, William (Bill) Weaver, who served in the United States Air Force as a military police officer from 1952-62, and later as an officer with the Niles Police Department.

The Veterans Service Flag Display features an American Flag, a P.O.W flag and five service flags representing each branch of the U.S. military: Air Force, Navy, Army, Marines and Coast Guard.

Joyce donated money to purchase the Air Force flag and a commercial grade flagpole in honor of her late husband. Beneath the pole is a plaque reading: “In loving memory of my husband William E. Weaver by Joyce M. Weaver.”

Joyce said she was emotional when first viewing the memorial.

“It was the right thing to do, and I think it is just perfect,” she said. “I am sure (Bill) would think so, too.”

The Veterans Service Flag Display, spearheaded by the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery, honors all veterans, including the more than 2,000 veterans buried at the city cemetery. Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery members began fundraising for the project in June 2011 and quickly secured the $6,000 needed for it to be completed.

“It was thrilling that people responded the way they did and that they would support veterans in our town and the memories of the veterans and loved ones buried here,” said Ginny Tyler, project chairperson and FOSC member.

Located in front of the Silverbrook Cemetery Mausoleum, the display features 25-foot commercial grade flagpoles with large service flags, a cannon and memorial signage installed in a new concrete patio area created by cemetery superintendents Neal Mikel and Leanne Hoese. Donations came from the Hunter Foundation, Martin’s Super Market, Pepsico, 20 local organizations and individuals.