Patti Dozier/Times-EnterpriseVeterans Johnnie Clark (left) and Jeff Lemon prepare American flags for distribution at veterans' graves throughout Thomas County. 

THOMASVILLE, Ga. — The process that began early this week to place American flags at Thomas County veterans’ graves is expected to continue until the early morning hours of Memorial Day on Monday.

Earlier this week, members of Allen Cook Post 4995 Veterans of Foreign Wars began placing flags at small cemeteries throughout Thomas County.

Flags placed at veterans’ graves at Sunset Memorial Gardens — by a boys church group — was completed Thursday.

Sunset Memorial Gardens on U.S. 84 will be the setting for a Memorial Day service at 11 a.m. Monday. The event is sponsored annually by Allen & Allen Funeral Home.

Early Monday morning, flags will be placed at veterans’ graves at Laurel Hill Cemetery and Peaceful Rest Cemetery.

“There will be 1,000 flags at Laurel Hill,” said Lyndall Knight, Post 4995 commander. 

Flags were placed at veterans’ graves in the old section of Laurel Hill earlier in the week.

About 3,000 flags will be distributed countywide, with Gregory Thweat, incoming Post 4995 commander, chairing the project.

Flags will be distributed Saturday at Boston and Barwick cemeteries by Tom Coram, Thomas County Emergency Medical Service director, and his grandsons.

Fred Eubanks and a Boy Scout troop will place flags Saturday at two Pavo cemeteries.

“We have been doing it for the past 12 years,” Knight said. “We do it for the veterans who gave their lives for our country.”

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820