Graceland Fairlawn Cemetery Avenue of Flags now 222 strong

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Graceland Fairlawn Cemetery held its Avenue of Flags ceremony Saturday. This year, 18 flags were added, making the Avenue of Flags 222 strong.

The ceremony included prayer, a presentation by the Macon County Honor Guard, and the reading of the names.

David Goebel with Graceland Fairlawn Cemetery said the reading of the names is a vital part of the ceremony.

"It gives purpose to the person that served, and tells the community this person put it all on the line, up to and including death for this country," Goebel said. "This weekend specifically is a weekend where we celebrate those that died by paying the ultimate sacrifice. These men and women, they put it all on the line for our country."

The event was started in 2013. Graceland Fairlawn Cemetery will be holding its Memorial Day service on Monday at 11 a.m. on their grounds.