CHAPEL HILL – Saturday morning, you won’t want to miss the Veterans of Foreign War continue their annual tradition of decorating the Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery and honoring those who have fallen.

“It goes back to Civil War Days,” American Legion Post 6 commander, Lee Heavlin says. “About 50 percent—or it at least appears that way—have flags on them when we’re done. There’s a tremendous number of veterans at the Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery.”

He says about 450-500 flags will be placed beginning at 7:00 a.m. At 8:00 a.m., a memorial service will be held which is open to the public. He says it is expected to last about 30 minutes.

Of course Monday is Memorial Day proper. Heavlin says the flag ceremony will be performed again at 8:00 a.m. followed by another chance for the public to come out and join in the remembrance of the fallen soldiers. An open house begins at 10:00 a.m. at the American Legion, which is just two blocks from the cemetery, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m.

At 12:15 p.m., hot dogs and cool drinks will be provided for the public at no cost thanks to Boy Scout Troop 835 and Chapel Hill Magazine. Then at 12:30 p.m. the Village Band will perform. Heavlin says this year’s performance is a special one for him.

“My granddaughter’s in the band,” Heavlin says. “It makes me very happy and proud to see kids grow up and become young adults. They play patriotic music for about one hour.”