When driving by Blue Star Memorial Gardens across from Hancock’s Neighborhood Market in Cadiz, you will see a ‘Field of Flags’ through the first weekend of July.
Each flag flying in the breeze, tells a story—a story of those who served our country, some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. This now-annual event serves as one of the main fundraisers for American Legion Post 74.
This year, among the flags one honoring the late U.S. Navy Seaman 1st Class James Richard Ward, of Springfield, Ohio. Ward passed away, at the age of 20, in Pearl Harbor while on the USS Oklahoma. On December 7, 1941, Ward was on the ship located on Battleship Row. That morning, Japanese dive-bombers, fighter-bombers, and torpedo planes sank nine ships including five battleships, and severely damaged 21 more.
There were 429 who lost their lives that morning on the USS Oklahoma, including Ward.
Curt Holmes from the Cadiz chapter of the American Legion told Your News Edge that Ward was in a gun turret when the attack occurred.
He died after the turret came off the ship and sank into the Pacific Ocean, following eight torpedo hits. A ninth torpedo hit the battleship as it sank in the mud.
Ward’s remains were identified in August 2021 and he was honored posthumously with a Medal of Honor. Ward was buried as an Unknown at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii. He was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery in a ceremony on December 21, 2023.
A friend of Holmes from Ohio purchased the flag.
Holmes added each year the volunteers with American Legion Post 74 are touched by the sometimes funny, often sad stories of the service members who are being honored. The flags will remain in place through the 4th of July holiday.
If the weather remains dry, a ceremony is planned for Saturday morning, July 6th at 10:00 at Blue Star Memorial Gardens.
The group has sold on average 115-120 flags annually, in recent years. The flags, which are made in America, are $25 each. Holmes shared they are made from a lighter material than typical flags so they only last about six months in the elements.
Volunteers from American Legion Post 74 are accepting flag orders each weekday. He invites the community to stop by for a conversation, even if they are not purchasing a flag.
