Brigman, army of volunteers plant U.S. flags

 

By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com

* Photo gallery

ROCKINGHAM — Jimmy Brigman would be the first to tell anyone who asked that it took more than Jimmy Brigman to plant a few thousand American flags this weekend.

Yes, Brigman purchased the flags — thanks to donations that came in from across Richmond County and the United States. Brigman, however, stated the obvious obstacle in it being only himself who receives the credit.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com Retired Army Master Sergeant Jimmy Brigman distributes flags to Temple Christian Academy students on Monday morning at Richmond County Memorial Park.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Retired Army Master Sergeant Jimmy Brigman distributes flags to Temple Christian Academy students on Monday morning at Richmond County Memorial Park.

“I’m old,” said the 86-year-old retired Army master sergeant. “I”m tired.”

Brigman’s spirits were rejuvenated when nearly two dozen volunteers showed up shortly after 8:30 a.m. Monday to help plant more than 600 flags at Richmond County Memorial Park on the graves of American veterans.

The volunteers came primarily from Temple Baptist Church and Christian Academy in East Rockingham, but also a trio of first-year volunteers who read online news reports of Brigman’s call for help.

Sheenalyn Hogan, of Derby, her 9-year-old son, Michael Flieschman, both of Derby, and family friend Randy Von Cannon, of Rockingham, learned of Brigman’s Memorial Day mission. The two adults are themselves Army vets — Hogan still serves in the National Guard as a sergeant in the 230th Bridge Support Battalion.

Hogan said once she learned of Brigman’s need for more volunteers, called Von Cannon and the three of them decided to show up Monday to see if they could help. And they weren’t the only ones. Brogan noted members of the Marine Corps League Detachment Chapter 1252, the local Military Order of the Purple Hearts helped to plant flags in Eastside Cemetery in Rockingham and Mary Love Cemetery in Hamlet on Sunday.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com Randy Von Cannon, of Rockingham, helps plant American flags on veterans' graves at Richmond County Memorial Park.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Randy Von Cannon, of Rockingham, helps plant American flags on veterans’ graves at Richmond County Memorial Park.

Brogan said he doesn’t do much of anything on any given Sunday but give praise to his God, but he did drive out to each site and thank those who had time to help.

As Brigman reached into the trunk of his car to retrieve the flags, he demonstrated to the assembled volunteers how to put the flags into the ground. He also reminded them to collect old, worn and tattered American flags for proper disposal.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com Shenalyn Hogan, of Derby, and 9-year-old son Michael Flieschman work to put American flags on veterans' gravesites.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Shenalyn Hogan, of Derby, and 9-year-old son Michael Flieschman work to put American flags on veterans’ gravesites.

Filed in: Latest Headlines

You might like:

M. Bishop sinks putt for Mixed Division playoff win M. Bishop sinks putt for Mixed Division playoff win
Von Hagel wins drawing for Pixel Von Hagel wins drawing for Pixel
Application period open for club sponsorship Application period open for club sponsorship
S. Farris wins Player of the Year S. Farris wins Player of the Year
© 2024 AlleganyPlayground.com. All rights reserved. XHTML / CSS Valid.