Dad's Effort Pays Off, Volunteers Plant 56,000 Flags At Bourne Cemetery
BOURNE (CBS) - Fields of red, white and blue cover the National Cemetery in Bourne as hundreds came to pay their respect for those who served their country.
"This is amazing to us and warms our hearts to be able to honor our men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom," said volunteer Patricia Corsini.
But no one was prouder than Paul Monti.
WBZ-TV's Paul Burton reports
His son Army Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti, a Medal of Honor recipient, was killed in Afghanistan in 2006 trying to save a fellow soldier.
In the past, cemetery policy prohibited placing flags. And for four years Monti fought to make it possible. "I needed to contact everyone I could, so I did. I contacted the Secretary of Defense, Army and Air Force," he said. "I think the message is that we need to pay homage to all the vets that have served our country."
On Saturday, dad placed at flag at his son's gravesite.
Monti was hoping he and others would be able to plant a total of 50,000 flags. They managed to do even better, with 56,000.
Some were placed by family members but most were flags were placed by people who came out to show their respect and appreciation for those who have died in the name of freedom.
