Strong support for Court of Honor
Members of the Red Oak community turned out in force to support the Montgomery County Veterans Court of Honor at its annual fundraiser March 2.
Court of Honor representatives Ed and Barb Wilkins said this is the only large fundraising event the Court of Honor holds every year. The rest of the funding comes from donations or soup and pie suppers. Ed said support for this year’s fundraiser was strong.
“We sold around 309 tickets for the fundraiser, and we had a little display to sell our flags. Our flag sales are popular because they last longer than the store-bought flags,” Ed said.
Barb said the money raised from the fundraiser has a variety of uses.
“We use it for building maintenance, as well as flagpoles, since we put all the flags up around the cemetery for Memorial Day,” said Barb.
The Court of Honor participates in a number of events throughout the year.
“In addition to the flags and the Memorial Day service, we also host a Veterans Day program at the schools; we do a lot with the military families that have funerals. We usually present and fold the flag for a soldier’s funeral and provide a bugler and a gun salute for them. Sometimes families purchase our flags for the soldier who has lost his life in the line of duty to use for funeral services, so they can keep the flag they are presented from the military. If someone buys a flag or a pole from us, we will go out and help them put it in the ground. That’s just another one of the many services we do,” commented Barb.
Barb added the strong support provided by Montgomery County residents is a great honor.
“It’s wonderful to see all the people who come to aid in fundraising for our organization. This year, we had a Boy Scout Troop from over by Villica come in and help. It teaches them the respect for the community and for the veterans,” Barb said.
According to Barb, the Court of Honor members aren’t limited to soldiers.
“I’m the secretary for the Court of Honor, and I never served in the military. Wives and other people can join the organization, it’s not just for servicemen. We have a lot of non-service members, including a lot of children, who come and help us put up the flags. With as many flags as we put up, we wouldn’t be able to do that without the community helping us,” Barb said.
Donations for the organization are accepted year round. Donations can be sent to the Court of Honor at 1105 N. 4th St., or given to a Court of Honor member. Barb said old flags can also be taken to that address.
“We have a mailbox in front of our building that is for the old flags that have been flown and have become torn from the elements. We take them and dispose of them the proper way as a service to the community,” Barb stated.
To learn more about the Court of Honor, or to become a member, visit the website at mccourtofhonor.com.