Macomb marked Patriot Day on September 11 by dedicating a new memorial in Chandler Park. It pays tribute to deceased military veterans from McDonough County.
The new display is called the Flags of Love Brick Memorial. It can be found on the south side of the park. The name of a deceased military veteran from the county is engraved on each of the more than 800 bricks.
“(People) can come up here any time of the year – and they may have to shovel the snow off in the winter – but their loved one will always be there,” said Kermit Short, who is a retired Command Sergeant Major from the U.S. Army. He helped complete the brick project.
More information about the Flags of Love Brick Memorial is available from:
- Mayor Mike Inman’s office: 309-833-2558
- The American Legion: 309-833-2951
- The VFW: 309-837-1921
- The City of Macomb website
The Flags of Love display, which started in 1977, can be seen just five times a year: Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Veteran’s Day.
As part of the flag display, each flag pole has a plate engraved with the name of a military veteran. The flags are not put up in any particular order so it can be difficult to find a specific person’s name.
Short said the brick memorial is permanent but will not put an end to the Flags of Love, which he said will continue to be displayed on the aforementioned days.
“I’ve never seen a flag display done any better any place throughout 20 countries I’ve been in during my military career of 30 years,” said Short. “
