American Legion Post 243 hosts 5th annual field of flags event

SCOTTS HILL, Tenn — One west Tennessee community spent Saturday honoring those who serve and protect our country. A field of flags lined Scotts Hill city park to honor local veterans.

Commander of VFW Post 243, Ronnie Butler said “my father was a navy veteran of world war II. I’m a veteran of Vietnam I also did one in honor of each of the groups that was here today.”

Vietnam veterans of America Post LZ995 from Jackson and American Legion Post 77 from Lexington were apart of the annual celebration. Post 243 Vice Commander, Clyde Thornhill read every name of veterans listed in the field. There were over one hundred names of veterans in the field, those who are alive and those who have passed away.

“It’s a honor to be a veteran, a live veteran. So many others didn’t make it back.” Commander Butler said.

VFW Post 243 said it couldn’t have made the event happen without the help of the women’s auxiliary.

President of the Ladies Auxilary Post 243, Bonnie Butler said “we sell jellies and jams all year to help pay for the food and donate all of our money over to the men so they’ll have money to do things with.”

The ceremony ended with a traditional 21 gun salute.

“The old saying is all gave some and some gave all and that’s what we try to do today.” Butler said.

After the ceremony flags were collected by veterans and their families. The event ended with a bowl of traditional Scotts Hill stew.