Every year Jefferson’s American Legion Post #11 searches for a project that will benefit military veterans and their families as well as the local community. This year’s project came to us. Bill Berger of the Elks Club asked us at the close of Memorial Day 2025 if the Legion could replace the two signs that are placed at the entrance of the City Cemetery and the Catholic Cemetery. Sometime in the past, the American Legion had built these two signs which reflected a flag number and a veteran it represented. It is not known how old these signs were, but they were in obvious need of replacement from the wear and tear over the years.
Pictured on Memorial Day with the newly redesigned City Cemetery sign are Legion members Dan Wise, Fred Long, Barb Labate, Don Labate (non-member but puts in the work), Kenneth Arbuckle, Alexis Stevens, Jim Andrew, Matt Thompson, and Elvin Thompson.
Post #11 enlisted the skills of Don Labate to fulfill this mission. He redesigned and built the frames, incorporating a four-legged easel attached to the sign instead of the previous design of using a separate three-legged easel. Updated name sheets were then added under new plexiglass. Labate says, “The new frames were built with four legs in lieu of an easel thereby providing more stability and eliminating the need for an easel. The new frames also have built in brackets to anchor the frame to the ground to resist high winds.”
The signs are seldom replaced. What does need replacement on a continual basis are the flags that line the cemeteries during Memorial Day weekend. If anyone is interested in donating funds to purchase replacement flags for the Avenue of Flags, please contact Jefferson City Hall.
Photo courtesy of Danielle Barron of DNE Photography
