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Honoring the memories of Cleveland County's veterans

Star - 5/31/2021

May 31—Jack Weller displays an air of pride and a tinge of emotion when he speaks about his father, Bill Weller.

From his dad's work ethic to his willingness to raise his hand to volunteer, Jack believes Bill developed that mentality when he served in the military during World War II.

Commander of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron No. 82, Jack Weller decided a year ago that he wanted to lead an effort to honor all the men and women who, like his father, served their country.

Weller led two groups of volunteers to place U.S. flags on the graves of 800 veterans buried in two Shelby cemeteries Thursday night. It was a tradition he practiced as a Boy Scout growing up in Pennsylvania.

The men, women and children who turned out participated in a brief ceremony which was ended with the playing of taps, then each took bundles of flags and maps to navigate through Sunset Cemetery and Webb Memorial Lawns.

Weller asked each volunteer to do a little more than the mechanical act of putting a flag in the ground.

"As you do this, let us stop and remember the sacrifice that these veterans made," he said.

Weller moved to start the annual gathering last year, but the global pandemic put a damper on the occasion.

He said he was happy to see so many volunteers participate this year.

In addition to the help from families who showed up, volunteers came from the American Legion Warren F. Hoyle Post 82, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 82, Legion Riders, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 82, Boy Scouts, Shelby High School student athletes and Shelby Mason Lodge No. 744.

Crest High School seniors Laney Patterson, Mackenzie Hayes and Sierra Crocker made their way through Sunset Cemetery the night before graduation. They were three of several of the local American Legion softball team members who participated.

During the ceremony, Commander of American Legion Post No. 82 Victor Darville expressed appreciation for each person who came out to "flag up" the graves of the fallen soldiers. He said he hopes the practice will become a Shelby tradition.

"Thank you for giving up your evening to honor our veterans," he said.

Memorial Day ceremonies also were held in Shelby Sunday and Kings Mountain Monday. Find more coverage of Memorial Day events at shelbystar.com and in Wednesday's edition.

Diane Turbyfill can be reached at 704-669-3334 and dturbyfill@shelbystar.com.

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