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New US flags will be flown over Berks Country Veterans’ graves in time for Memorial Day thanks to the voices of concerned, patriotic citizens. 

The citizens of Berks County, Pennsylvania, concerned over the absence of American flags to decorate the graves of veterans for Memorial Day due to COVID-19 shut down orders, got together to ensure that the veterans would still be honored this May. Their efforts led to a waiver allowing flag manufacturer FLAGZONE in Gilbertsville, PA to open in order to manufacturer the flags for our veterans’ graves. 

“The waiver  (allowing Gilbertsville, PA manufacturer FLAGZONE to open) is a result of the overwhelming groundswell of voices from concerned, patriotic citizens of this county who were extremely upset regarding the impending absence of American Flags to decorate the graves of veterans for Memorial Day 2020,” said Berks County VA Director Ken Lebron in a statement to BCTV.  

“The Berks County Commissioners heard those concerns and responded expeditiously by relaying those concerns directly to the leadership in Harrisburg.

These unified efforts from the community, our local legislators and County Commissioners have proved to be fruitful as the waiver was extended to FLAGZONE by the Wolf administration late last week.”

Penske Trucking donated a box truck to transport the flags, and volunteers from the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club drove the truck, picked up the flags, and delivered them to the Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs earlier today.

The flags will be distributed at 722 Cherry Street, Reading PA 19602 on the following days:

5/20 Wednesday from 1pm – 5pm 

5/21 Thursday from 1pm – 5pm 

5/22 Friday from 1pm – 5pm 

The Berks County VA states that supporting local cemeteries during this time is appreciated, but asks that volunteers use caution by wearing face masks, and maintaining social distancing practices as the 50,000 American Flags are placed on Memorial Day. 

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