BREWSTER – For 30 years, the late World War II veteran Bob Palmer categorized and placed more than 1,200 flags on the graves of veterans buried in the greater Brewster area. He did it entirely by himself.
In 2012, at the age of 91, the lifelong Putnam resident who served in the Army from August 1942 to December 1945, achieving the rank of Platoon Sergeant and commanding a 16-man gun section, decided it was time to have others take over the annual project. So, the Bob Palmer Project was born, not to duplicate his singular effort, but to follow his intent.
Jack Duncan, a retired master sergeant, was named chairman of the initiative that each year, and with a team effort that includes Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Lions and Elks, the New York Riders as well as veterans, places the more than 1,300 flags before each Memorial Day.
“We not only honor and remember our veterans, but honor Bob Palmer and his commitment to our community and to veterans in general,” Duncan said.
The 2026 Bob Palmer Project took place Sunday at the Milltown Rural Cemetery at the St. Lawrence Cemetery in Brewster.
County Executive Kevin Byrne lent a hand describing the project as a “small act that carries deep meaning, remembering those who served and sacrificed for our country.”
Palmer passed away in October 2018 at the age of 97.
During his service, Palmer earned the American Service Medal, the European African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
Following his World War II service, Palmer was employed by Conrail, retiring after 41 years. He was also a life member of Brewster VFW Post 672, serving for 20 years as chaplain of the post.
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