OLD GLORY TO FLY OVER ROCK ISLAND NATIONAL CEMETERY

Illinois vets cemetery latest stop on cross-country journey

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2008—As Old Glory continues its journey from the USS Arizona to Capitol Hill in Washington, it will fly over the Rock Island National Cemetery in Rock Island, Ill. on Monday, March 10. AMVETS Department of Illinois will be on hand for the event, as the flag is raised over this final resting place for our nation’s heroes.

 “I think this flag-raising is the sincerest way to show our gratitude to our fallen heroes,” said Ron Spaulding, senior vice commander of AMVETS Department of Illinois. “There is no greater way to honor our fallen soldiers than to unite and raise this symbol of the United States of American for them.”

The historic national cemetery is located on Rock Island Arsenal, an island in the Mississippi River that houses the U.S. Army’s only active foundry. Rock Island National Cemetery was established as a final resting place for Union soldiers who died in battle during the Civil War. Two World War II Medal of Honor recipients are interned at Rock Island.

AMVETS is working with the White House Commission on Remembrance to promote Old Glory’s Journey of Remembrance. The journey is six-month tour of the United States counting down to the National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day, when Old Glory will over the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington.

“This countdown is a way for Americans to remember exactly what our men and women in uniform have fought for throughout our history,” said AMVETS National Cmdr. John P. “JP” Brown III. “AMVETS is proud to be working with the (White House) commission to make this possible, especially with our close ties to the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor.”

Old Glory’s journey began on Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7 when the flag flew over the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii. Rock Island National Cemetery is one of many historic sites, including Fort McHenry, Palo Alto Battlefield, Chalmette Battlefield, Gettysburg, Appomattox Courthouse, and Arlington National Cemetery.

Media Contact:
National
Communications Director
Jay Agg
(301) 683-4035
jagg@amvets.org

National
Publications Editor
Isaac Pacheco
(301)-683-4038
ipacheco@amvets.org

National
Media Specialist
Ryan Gallucci
(301)683-4073
rgallucci@amvets.org