When the James Cemetery restoration project was begun, it was stunning to discover two things: (1) the number of War of 1812 and Civil War veterans buried there and (2) the fact that not ONE of those graves was properly acknowledged with a flag holder and flag. With the help of Arnold Tripp, the local Veteran's Service Commission officer who provided the flagholders and flags, the gravesites have been respectfully decorated.

In early 2006, the decision was made by volunteers outside of the JCOGS who had been working in the cemetery to try to raise money for a quality, commercial grade 30' aluminum flagpole. In very little time, the funds needed were donated by local individuals plus veteran's organizations (Jackson VFW post #8402 along with Jackson AMVETS post #84) and the flagpole purchased. With all labor being accomplished by volunteers (including assistance from the City of Jackson electric department and Jackson county jail 'guests' provided by Sheriff John Shasteen), the pole was erected on June 30, 2006. Thanks also go out to Dave Michael at Winters Concrete who donated the concrete and Brennan Hughes at Iron City Pipe Supply who stored the pole inside his business prior to it being installed.

The huge hole for the flagpole was dug by 'guests' from the county jail	Thanks to Larry Fisher and his crew from the city of Jackson, the pole was raised	Mike Lyons, Viet Nam veteran and retired mason, poured the concrete base	And with no accidents, the pole was set into place

On July 2nd, a public ceremony was held in the cemetery for a formal flag raising of Old Glory. A surprising crowd of about 40 people including interested citizens, veterans, veteran's organization members and local newspaper media were present. After a brief ceremony, the deceased veterans buried in James Cemetery finally were acknowledged for their service

After the flag was raised, local veterans and veteran's organization regular & auxiliary members (many of whom are cemetery project volunteers) posed for this picture at the base of the flagpole. Photo courtesy of the Jackson County Telegram and Steve Keller, who contributed a nice newspaper article on the cemetery restoration project

On the top of the light pole to the left, the city of Jackson installed a dusk-to-dawn light that illuminates the 6' x 10' flag. The flag was donated by Jackson VFW Post 8402. We'd like to thank the City of Jackson & the local VFW!

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