SHERBURNE – The Thomas Gaines Memorial Park in Sherburne is filled with 450 American flags, each one placed to honor a veteran who served their country.

The Sherburne American Legion Auxiliary began the flag project in 2018, and it has grown every year since then.

Angela Jones came up with the idea for the project after visiting Skaneateles and seeing a similar Memorial Day display. She wanted to bring the idea to Sherburne. With a goal of getting 25 flags set up in the park, Jones got to work.

The first year, 80 individuals reached out to Jones to honor a loved one with a flag, and the first display filled the park. Jones explained that the display is an important way to show how many individuals in the community have served their country. “It makes people realized that we need to thank our veterans past and present,” Jones said.

Throughout the year, the Legion collects the names of veterans people would like to honor. Individuals submit their veterans’ information and pay $45 the first year to guarantee a flag. The contribution is $20 a year after that.

While many of the veterans are local, some are not. Flags can be placed for any veteran regardless of where they live. Many local families honor veteran family members from other places with a flag. Some are veterans who once lived in Sherburne but have since moved away.

The flags are placed in the park after Halloween and will remain in place until the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

Different organizations and Sherburne American Legion families help to place the flags in the park. “On Saturday the Sherburne Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts came out to help us place the flags,” Jones said.

The project is a lot of work, and Jones explained many people contribute to make it a success. Local businesses donate or discount merchandise for the display.

Steel Sales donates all the rebar used to secure the flags.

Top Variety provides all the flagpoles at a significant discount.

Bob Cuffney engineered the design for the flagpoles to make sure the flagpoles would stay standing throughout November.

“We want to thank everyone who has helped, especially the veterans,” Jones said. “It takes a village.”

The flag display presents a powerful reminder of how many individuals have fought for our country.

“If not for our veterans, past and present, where we would be? They fought for our freedom and we owe them our thanks,” Jones said.

Anyone interested in having a flag placed in the park for a veteran in future years can reach out to Jones or contact the American Legion via their Facebook page.

“Since we posted pictures on Facebook, we’ve already gotten four new requests,” Jones said. “They want their family members to be recognized. That’s what the display is all about.”