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DENTON – Nearly 400 veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces are buried in Denton Cemetery, and the Sons of the American Legion want to make sure every single one is marked by Old Glory this Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026.
“We feel it’s necessary to honor our veterans during Memorial Day,” said Chuck Pittinger of Denton. He serves as both commander and adjutant of the SAL chapter at American Legion Post 29 in Denton and as chairman of the Memorial Day flag program.
SAL members, along with others, including high school students who earn service-learning hours, place the flags the weekend prior to Memorial Day weekend.
It wasn’t until Wreaths Across America was inaugurated at the cemetery in December 2024 by Eagle Scout Billy Quick that the SAL realized some veterans’ graves were not decorated for Memorial Day, or what was also known in years past as Decoration Day.
“This year alone, I think it was probably five or six new names that were given to me that I did not realize were veterans,” Pittinger said. The current number of veterans’ graves is about 390.
If the tombstones don’t have military insignia or plaques the SAL relies on the veteran’s family to reach out to them. Of course, some families place a flag on their veteran’s grave, and that’s fine, he said.
“We have a lot of positive comments by family, and also folks that ride by,” Pittinger said. “I've had many comments to say that, wow, it's a wonderful thing you guys are doing, because it just looks so beautiful to see all those many American flags placed in one area like that.”
Pittinger said he rides out to the cemetery a week after the 5 by 7 inch flags are placed to make sure they’re in good order. Eventually, they are gathered up by the SAL; those in good shape are saved for the next year. Tattered, torn or faded flags are respectfully retired.
Sometimes, the tips Chuck receives come from unexpected sources. As he was checking on the flags one day, a lady sitting in her car called him over to say her father had never gotten a flag and could he be added to the list. He recognized the name and suddenly realized he knew the lady.
“We used to ride the school bus together, and you know, just by that luck, I was able to add her father to the list,” he said. “So now, every year he gets a flag.”
If you know of a veteran buried in Denton Cemetery who needs a Memorial Day flag, please contact Chuck Pittinger at chuck.pittinger@yahoo.com or 410-714-1011.
