Finding Minnesota: Veterans Walk Of Flags In Fergus Falls
FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (WCCO) -- On Memorial Day, the nation will take time to honor the men and women who've lost their lives serving our country.
Many will pay their respects by flying the American flag. Typically, the stars and stripes fly alone, but that's not the case in Fergus Falls where a single American flag isn't enough.
"We put up 1,875 flags," said Curt Bergerson, president of the Veterans Walk of Flags.
During 10 designated days each summer, Old Glory gets company in a display called the Veterans Walk of Flags.
The tribute started 15 years ago with about 100 flags at a local park.
"It worked out fine, it mushroomed after that," Bergerson said.
It eventually grew to five locations, turning Fergus Falls into a portrait of red white and blue.
The entire display is volunteer-driven. Mary Ellen Solly is among the 30-50 people who place the nearly 2,000 stars and stripes around town.
"I don't think there's too many towns that can say they have this many flags and this many volunteers that do this," Solly said. "It's overwhelming. It's overwhelming, but I think everyone should see it."
For many of the volunteers, the Walk of Flags is more than just a patriotic display. Each flag holds a plaque with the name and rank of a member of the military.
"There's a lot of history in all these flags," Bergerson said.
In the beginning, veterans from all over the country could apply to have a flag posted in their honor. The group had to stop the applications at its current number of 1,875. Bergerson has his own flag so his connection to the tribute is a personal one.
"Proud to be part of it, really," Bergerson said. "I think we have a congressional medal winner, a couple of generals and higher ranks, as well as privates."
Curt Beckler is another volunteer who has his own flag for his service in Vietnam.
"This gives my full name and U.S. Army Spec. 5. Flag number 1396," Beckler said while looking at his flag.
While Beckler earned military recognition during his time in service, for him, the flag means more than any medal.
"It's a lasting memorial for years to come," Beckler said. "I guess every time we put them up I think about it, what we sacrificed. I didn't sacrifice as much as a lot of them, but it was a sacrifice. It was two years of my life, but it was a good two years, and when you realized you did it for a purpose it was, it was worth it."
When Beckler and Bergerson place the flags of their fellow comrades, they take the time to read each name and rank. In their eyes, it's a simple showing of respect.
"Some of them are like myself and made it back, but some didn't," Beckler said.
The Walk of Flags isn't permanent. Each flag is put up and taken down in the same day. It is a fleeting show of support, but the appreciation it conjures remains unwavering.
"There's a lot of emotion there," Bergerson said.
Here is the remaining schedule for this year's Veterans Walk of Flags: Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Purple Hearts Day, Labor Day, POW/MIA Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day.
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