Oakland County, Michigan, May 20, 2009 -- American flags, held aloft in special new holders, will be placed on the graves of nearly 1,600 Oakland County veterans this Memorial Day, thanks in part to a donation from the employees of the Oakland County Clerk & Register of Deeds Office.

"There is no greater sacrifice than serving your country," said Ruth Johnson, Oakland County Clerk, on behalf of her employees who raised the money for special aluminum flag holders. "We wanted to recognize the contributions of those who have served in the military - especially in these times. All our veterans need to be honored for their unwavering devotion to their country, their commitment and their courage."

Johnson commended her employees, noting it was Clerk & Register of Deeds employees who kicked off the flag holder project, donating $500 to the Oakland County Veterans Group two years ago. The money was raised through special employee casual day events. The Oakland County Board of Commissioners in March of 2009 earmarked an additional $10,000 toward the purchase of 1,600 flag holders.

Jack Bressler, who served in both Korean and Vietnam and is the former president of the Oakland County Veterans Group, said flags will fly over some graves that had been forgotten, simply lost to time. Flags will be placed on veteran graves dating back to the War of Independence, the War of 1812 and the Civil War as well as those who died after serving in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam and the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We appreciate the donations of the Clerk & Register of Deeds Office employees and the Board of Commissioners to make sure the service of these men and women is honored," Bressler said. "The American flags standing proudly over these graves will be a reminder to all that Memorial Day is a solemn day. I hope people take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices by those who have served."

Diana Calvin, manager of Oakland County's Veterans Services, said about 2,000 veterans pass away each year in Oakland County. She said flags are often placed directly in the ground, but the new flag holders will keep flags from touching the ground and clearly indicate veteran gravesites. "This is a wonderful tribute," said Calvin, who noted there is no official count of veteran graves located in Oakland County.

Veterans' Services, with the money earmarked by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, purchased 1,600 aluminum flag holders this year. Half of them were given to the Oakland County Veterans Group, which spearheaded the project, and others were distributed to other veterans' service organizations that requested them. About 300 flag holders are still available to those groups. For more information, call (248) 858-0785 or visit the county's website at www.oakgov.com/veterans for an application.

State law requires cities, townships and villages that own cemeteries to post flags on veterans' graves at the request of family members and veterans associations, but the cost is prohibitive for some communities. Bressler said his group will be placing flags at both the Oak Hill Cemetery and Perry Mount Park Cemetery in Pontiac on Monday.

"We know it's going to take time to mark the grave of every Oakland County veteran with an American flag, but these donations have been very encouraging," Bressler said. "These soldiers have given so much in the service of their country - the least we can do is remember them and never forget."

Anyone who would like to donate to the effort can check a check to:

The Oakland County Veterans Group
1631 Giddings Road,
Pontiac, MI 48340