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Rockford Boys and Girls Club help 'Flags for Vets' Graves'

Posted March 04, 2015 10:00 pm

The Associated Press

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) - A Rockford man who has helped distribute thousands of Memorial Day flags for decades will have some young assistants this year.

The Rockford Register-Star reports (http://bit.ly/1wIqGZN ) Boys and Girls Club members will take part in handing out and setting up U.S. flags for the May holiday.

They'll be helping 88-year-old Lee Hartsfield. The Navy veteran adopted the flag program in 1984 when Winnebago County support was cut.

Hartsfield - well-known after years as TV pitchman for his floral and jewelry business - is working on a $50,000 endowment for "Flags for Vets' Graves."

Hartsfield welcomes the kids' help. He says they will continue his efforts when he's no longer able to do so.

Chip Stoner is Boys and Girls Club president. He says the kids will learn leadership and appreciation for veterans.

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Information from: Rockford Register Star, http://www.rrstar.com

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