Avenue of the Flags adds 12 flags in Veterans Day ceremony

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — The Avenue of the Flags added 12 flags on Veterans Day to honor military veterans. The ceremony also recognized the sacrifices their families make.

For each of the 12 flags, family members shared stories about the veteran it honored, speaking about who they were and their time in the military.

David Cantrell, a veteran and chairman of the Avenue of the Flags, told the audience that families serve, too. He spoke about the holidays and milestones they spend apart from loved ones during military service.

“War touches everyone. War touched the families at home when they got those postcards of their son,” said Cantrell.

That message resonated with James Sanders, who served 22 years in the Air Force. He said service members miss their families while they’re away and know their families miss them, too.

“They need us, but we have a job to do,” Sanders said.

For Ralph Friga, the ceremony brought back memories of his brother-in-law. Friga said German forces captured him during World War II. His brother-in-law struggled after returning and rarely spoke about what happened, Friga said.

Sanders said Veterans Day gives people a chance to remember those who served.

“It’s an important time to remember those that have given us a country that we can be proud of,” he said.