Placing of the Flags

The Monongahela Cemetery was opened in 1863, during the Civil War.  It is the central point for Memorial Day Services in the city each May.  It serves as the final resting place for more than 4,200 veterans.  With the aid of members from two church congregations, adults and children span the cemetery grounds, placing flags to honor every one of those veterans.  This tradition began by the Frank Downer American Legion Post # 302 in Monongahela more than 40 years ago.  For the past four years, parishioners from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Carroll Township have taken over the task.  Last year, the Uniontown congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined the effort.  "Rain or shine, they are here.  Last November, it was raining all day they were here retrieving the flags."