Honors for Old Glory

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838 color guard assembled on Saturday at Cape County Park North as volunteers began installing the 500 new flag pole holders along Old Glory Lane in the park. Standing at attention, from left: Clemon Crain, Elmer Schearf, Herb Nance, John Bertrand, Bob Wade and Melvin Kuehle.

Matt Hayes and Elizabeth Merkel with Alpha Phi Omega installed a new flag pole holder at Cape County Park North.

Southeast Missourian

A project that will ultimately create a new street to display U.S. flags at holidays and memorials begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at Cape County Park North.

Heading the effort are the Cape Girardeau County Commission, the County Park Department and VFW Post 3838

The street, "Old Glory Lane," is located between the Missouri Department of Conservation Building and U.S. 61. Visitors proceeding into the park's new entrance should take a right turn at the first turn off.

Bruce Watkins, park superintendent, said, "The circle of flags around the existing flagpole will remain the same but an addition of 500 new flag pole holders, mapped out by the park staff, will be installed."

Organizations providing labor, funding and donations of supplies include the Cape Evening Lions Club, VFW Post 3838, Boy Scout of America Troop 5, Anpetu-We Lodge Order of the Arrow, Girl Scouts from the Tsalagi Service Unit -- Girl Scout Troop 148, Southeast Missouri Builders Supply, Southeast Stone Co., Shott Electrical Co., Sides Metal, Elias ACE Hardware, Buchheit's, Gerdan Slipforming Co., ASA Asphalt Co. and Alpha Phi Omega Sect. 49 Conference.

The display should be ready on Memorial Day, May 31.