MILWAUKEE — To kick off Memorial Day weekend, the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center held its sixth annual Field of Flags Ceremony on Friday.
It honors fallen soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Over the past week, 27,316 flags were placed at Veterans Memorial Park.
Each flag represents a Wisconsinite killed in battle, dating from the Civil War to the present.
Kaela Buraczewski is a Blue Star Mom, which is a support group for moms of children in the military.
She was one of the volunteers that helped plant these flags. For her, it’s also a reminder to count her blessings.
“I’m thankful that none of these flags represent my family," said Buraczewski. "I’m related to seven veterans going back to Civil War. My grandfather was a Purple Heart veteran from World War I, but I’m blessed that my family came home. There are families whose children didn’t and that’s why it’s important for us to remember.”
Kurt Baker is a Vietnam War veteran and a member of the Wisconsin Vietnam Vets Chapter 1. He believes tributes like this are vital.
“Eventually, we are going to be gone, and somebody is going to say, ‘What was Vietnam? Where?’ They don’t know, so we just gotta keep reminding everybody all the time that what they have here now is because of people who aren’t here anymore,” said Baker.
At the ceremony, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary James Bond spoke about how these flags also symbolize hope.
“They are a testament to our belief that our finest hours are ahead of us," said Bond. "These flags represent an unmistakable message that we believe in the promise of these United States of America.”
To conclude the ceremony, the final four flags were placed by Bond and relatives of those who lost their lives.
Buraczewski said this shows that each of these people had family that love and miss them.
“This weekend is not about having a burger and a brat and picnic," said Buraczewski. "This weekend is to remember that each one of these flags represents a soul.”
She hopes that as people walk past this field of flags, they will also reflect on former Wisconsin service members who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Field of Flags display will remain at Veterans Memorial Park until Thursday.
