Armed Forces Day activities begin with raising of flag

Veterans will celebrate Armed Forces Day at Capaha Park's Freedom Corner on Saturday.

The event will start at 9 a.m. with the formal raising of the American flag. The three-hour ceremony will include several demonstrations about how to properly fold a flag and information on flag etiquette, said Richard Bollwerk of Cape Girardeau, commandant of the Marine Corps League.

"A lot of people don't know that when the flag passes by in a parade, you are supposed to stand and men are supposed to remove their hats," Bollwerk said.

The league and the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post are sponsoring the event, which is open to the public.

The ceremony will include a memorial service for Americans who died in military service in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past year. It will conclude about noon with a military rifle salute and the playing of Taps, Bollwerk said.

Armed Forces Day is designed to recognize the men and women who serve in the military.

Also in celebration of Armed Forces Day, the local American Legion will hold a yard sale Saturday starting at 7 a.m. at the legion hall at 2731 Thomas Drive. The legion also plans to distribute blue-star banners to area families who have relatives serving in the military overseas, legion officials said.