Union places nearly 3K flags at Riverside National Cemetery after event canceled due to shutdown
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) -- An Inland Empire union stepped up to place 2,400 flags at veterans' graves at Riverside National Cemetery.
The annual flag-placing event, which typically features a quarter of a million flags, was canceled due to limited staffing during the government shutdown. The cemetery is managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is impacted by the shutdown.
The annual Veterans Day ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 11, was also canceled.
"This decision was not made lightly; it comes after careful consideration of the significant staffing reductions and various logistical challenges we are facing, including limited access to facilities, trash management and traffic control," Laura Herzog, founder of Honoring Our Fallen, which organizes the event, said in a statement.
Cemetery employees would be needed to manage traffic, ensure the safety of children and manage restrooms, Herzog said.
More than 300 volunteers from local chapters of the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters instead placed flags at the cemetery on Saturday.
The union members bought their own flags, saying they wanted to make sure "heroes are not forgotten at Riverside National Cemetery."
"This isn't just Riverside, this is all national cemeteries across the country are working under furlough," Herzog said in an interview. "When you invite volunteers, whether you're a nonprofit and you invite them to come out and do something, you need to provide the resources. And right now, with the lack of staff at the cemetery due to the furloughs, then that is lack of restrooms, lack of trash receptacles, lack of first aid.
LA Fire and Police Veterans Association looks to help and unite service members
The Riverside National Cemetery remains open during the ongoing government shutdown.
Other Veterans Day events on Tuesday include the San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade, which will begin at 11:11 a.m. at the corner of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and San Fernando Mission Boulevard in Mission Hills, and proceed south on Laurel Canyon for 1.1 miles to Ritchie Valens Park.
West Hollywood's Veterans Day ceremony will highlight transgender veterans to acknowledge their service and increased visibility within the veteran community.
Veterans and active military members will receive free meals and ride tickets to Pacific Park at the Veterans Day ceremony on the Santa Monica Pier, which will include a flyover by a Chinook helicopter.
Forest Lawn's 66th annual Veterans Day Celebration will begin at 11 a.m. at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills and include a flyover by the Condon Squadron, patriotic music, an invocation and benediction, a color guard, a wreath laying and family friendly activities.
City News Service contributed to this report.
