‘Every stone has a story’: 5,000 flags placed at Worcester veterans’ graves ahead of Memorial Day

I'm Ryan Breslin on scene in Worcester where volunteers are placing 5,000 American flags at the graves of U.S. service members ahead of Memorial Day. The Worcester County Sheriff says their efforts to place flags at St. John's Cemetery started during COVID when Boston canceled their flag garden. In the year since, so many volunteers have come out in Worcester that they had to cap how many people could help this year. We heard from the sheriff and a veteran volunteer who say they're here to remember, reflect, and honor each person who made the ultimate sacrifice as they plant every flag. Every gravestone you go to is a story. Every stone has a story, a day, a birthday, a death, and many of them died during combat and you just realize the families and the impact and the sacrifices that were made across this country that we forget about sometimes. It's pretty touching. A lot of people come out and a lot of the same people year after year, a lot of same faces. It's an enjoyable day. I'm just very grateful. I'm very grateful and respectful and it deserves that. Almost 200 volunteers in total were here to plant those flags. Memorial Day is Monday. On scene in Worcester, Ryan Breslin for your local station, Boston 25 News.