Dillsboro students clean veterans graves, place American flags

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(DILLSBORO, Ind.) – Dillsboro Elementary students went on a field trip to pay their respects to veterans on Monday.

Fourth and fifth graders went to Oakdale Cemetery where they cleaned veteran’s grave markers and placed American flags.

This initiative is organized every year by Lana Melton who is a member of the Dillsboro American Legion Post 292 Auxiliary as well as the Dillsboro Elementary PTO.

“It’s a great way to bridge the generations and being in a small community the kids may recognize some of the last names. We’re getting further away from when these veterans served, so we need to keep it in the forefront of these kids' minds,” Melton said.

This initiative began in 2019 as a community volunteer event on the weekends. It's transformed into an annual field trip for Dillsboro fourth and fifth graders.

On Monday, the kids were greeted by the Dillsboro American Legion Color Guard who explained how funerals for veterans are conducted. There was also a 21-gun salute as well as TAPS.

The students then went around the cemetery and were supervised by Dillsboro Principal Kyle Miller, teachers, members of the Dillsboro American Legion Post 92 Auxiliary, and Dillsboro PTO members.

The students cleaned approximately 310 veteran grave markers and placed 200 new American flags at their gravesites.

Last year, Milan Elementary teacher Megan Lunsford took some of her students to set out supplies and place flags at the grave sites as well.

Here are some photos from Monday’s field trip: