Hundreds of American flags honor fallen veterans at Cape County Park North

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY, Mo. (KBSI) – Hundreds of American flags are lining the entrance to Cape County Park North ahead of Veterans Day, honoring Cape Girardeau County veterans who have died.

According to the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office, deputies joined community volunteers Tuesday morning to help raise the flags as part of the annual Avenue of Flags tradition.

Each flag represents a deceased veteran from Cape Girardeau County.

The tradition began on Memorial Day in 1987, when families donated 80 casket flags to VFW Post 3838 in memory of their loved ones.

The display has since grown to include hundreds of flags honoring local veterans and their military service.

The sheriff’s office thanked Avenue of Flags, Cape County Parks, VFW Post 3838 and community volunteers for continuing the tradition.

Residents are encouraged to visit the Avenue of Flags on Veterans Day, walk among the flags and read the names of those being honored.