WELLSVILLE, N.Y. — Memorial Day weekend continues to be filled with special remembrances honoring military veterans who've made the ultimate sacrifice.

Members of one community are memorializing their late war heroes with one of the nation's most cherished symbols of freedom.

Terry Fleischman of Wellsville, Allegany County is honoring her dad, Joe, for his service to the military.

"He was proud to have served," said Terry.

Joe served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was at the Battle of Normandy.

"My dad landed like day four or five," said Terry.

What You Need To Know

  •  Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville recently planted a field of flags for Memorial Day

  •  Community members purchased a service tag to go with the flag

  • Proceeds from the fundraiser are set to help wounded veterans 

She's also remembering her uncles who also served in World War II as well.

"They taught me to respect my country. They taught my children my meaning of respect," said Terry.

Their memory was marked with an American Flag, joining more than 400 others in the Field of Flags, each placed on the lawn in front of Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville, Allegany County, with the name of a veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"[The flag] brings pride, respect, and honor," Terry said. "Deep love of country. There's something about seeing the American Flag that touches your heart."

The project now in its 11th year at the hospital, made possible with help from several community partners, inducing the Wellsville American Legion Riders.

"To never forget, in the words of the American legion. These are brothers, and sisters, mothers and fathers. friends, comrades that all served to protect our freedom," said Jim Helms, president and CEO of Jones Memorial Hospital.

Community members were invited to purchase a tag to honor their loved ones, with proceeds going to a hunting and mountain preserve for wounded veterans.

But for hospital Helms, the initiative is personal and signifies so much more than just a community fundraiser.

"My wife and I have about 17 flags out here," he said. "It means a lot and we're not unique to that though. There's a lot of people in this community that have people to remember."

Like Terry, who says the field sends a strong message to those, young and young at heart, driving by or walking past it.

"That their freedom of speech and expression is not free," Terry said. "That people died for that. They need to know their history and what the cost is for their future."

Flags will remain in place through the Memorial Day parade Monday and will be removed Tuesday.