HOULTON, Maine — Houlton’s St. Mary’s Cemetery and Soldier Hill were once again adorned with hundreds of American Flags thanks to the efforts of local high school students.
A group of roughly a dozen students from the Summit Academy helped place hundreds of flags at Evergreen and St. Mary’s cemeteries in Houlton Wednesday morning, under the watchful eyes of Cemetery Director Milton Cone and Jerry Riley and Gene Ross of the American Legion Post No. 47.
For the past two years, students from the Summit Academy in Houlton have assisted with placing small flags at the graves of local veterans in preparation for the Memorial Day celebration.
“We have veterans here from a number of wars and conflicts, including some veterans from Canada and New Zealand,” Riley said. “We truly appreciate the students for their help in honoring our veterans. It means a great deal to us and the veterans’ families.”
Cone added the students’ assistance was very much appreciated and encouraged the group to read some of the markers so they could gain a better understanding of the significance of their actions.
“I know this is a big area, but take a look and stop and read the information (on the grave markers),” he said. “It can be overwhelming, but it was a huge service that they provided. We have one lot where the entire family was veterans. Some gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives and hopefully this is something you will remember once you are done.”
Part of the school’s curriculum is to provide community service and the students were eager to help support local veterans and their families, said Dee Butler, a teacher at the Summit Academy.
Students were divided into groups and worked together straightening and replacing broken holders and placing new flags on the graves.
Students agreed they learned a lot and came home with a better understanding of the local history. Students described this experience as uplifting and invigorating. Austin Hillman said the experience was personal for him since he has a family member who died earlier this year.
“My grandfather passed away in February and he was a Vietnam vet,” Hillman said. “I feel like this is a way for me to give back a little bit.”
HOULTON, Maine — May 25, 2022 — Cemetery Director Milton Cone explains the significance of the veterans markers to students from the Summit Academy Wednesday morning. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HOULTON, Maine — May 25, 2022 — Meadow Nelson, a student at the Summit Academy in Houlton, places a flag on the grave of a local veteran. Each year, the Summit Academy helps place flags for the Memorial Day celebration. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
