By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Niles Daily Star
NILES - One Niles man was upset enough to take on a mission.
David Rachels of Floral Drive, Niles, found a dozen or so small American flags thrown in a dumpster at Silverbrook Cemetery on April 14.
He had wondered where some plastic flower decorations had gone. “I then realized just maybe the cemetery workers had taken them and threw them in the dumpster,” he said.
He didn't realize he might find something else so upsetting.
With Memorial Day approaching, she is preparing, along with her part-time worker, to place flags by veterans' monuments. The flags will stay up from May 22 until after the July 4th holiday, until July 11.
It is possible the workers of the private contractor who mow the grass at the cemetery removed the decorations and placed them in the trash, said Kenny King, Niles Street Department Superintendent. He said he will talk to them about proper disposal, but it is also possible, he added, people visiting the cemetery thought they would help clean up and did so.
According to Flags International in Mishawaka, Ind., even small plastic flags should be disposed of properly.
Flags can be taken to the Niles American Legion Post No. 26, 1707 Miller Drive, or call (269) 683-8424.
The Cassopolis VFW has a permanent box, formerly for letters, repainted and placed in front of their post for easy disposal of worn or torn flags.
Edwardsburg's veterans each year hold a moving nighttime ceremony with veterans carrying the colors and a bugle being played while the flags were burned in a respectful manner.
Rachels, an Army veteran himself, reminds us what a powerful symbol our American flag should be.
His reminder to still show proper respect, after the flags are worn, is a lesson which sometimes needs to be taught, or relearned.