Summary: The New Philadelphia Masons are trying to find families in the community that once donated flags to the Avenue a Flags at Evergreen Cemetery at New Philadelphia.
The families of New Philadelphia veterans could be eligible to receive flags that once flew over the Capital in Washington D.C. The flags were then presented to families of veterans at funerals. Eventually the flags were donated by families for use in the Avenue of Flags, a longtime tradition at Evergreen Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Flags lined the roadways in order to honor veterans during special events and ceremonies.
Charles Ebright, a New Philadelphia resident and Mason is reaching out to area families that may have a loved one buried at the cemetery that includes more than 1,200 service members who served in the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq.
The Masons assumed responsibility of the flags in 1992 when the city, who had taken over the care of the cemetery, no longer used them. We believe it is important for these flags to be returned to the families of the veterans, said Ebright. We have about 200. Some are in poor condition while others are better preserved. The point is there might be families out there that would find comfort in having the flag returned.
Most of the flags in the possession of the Masons are from WWII but there are others as well. Earlier in July we tried to get in touch with members of the community but we only received a few calls, said Ebright. We are hoping more families will come forward so we can return the flags to them.
Anyone interested in getting more information about the flags can contact Ebright at 330-364-6842.
