By KevinSpradlin
PeeDeePost.com
ROCKINGHAM — Retired Army Master Sergeant Jimmy Brigman helped place nearly 800 flags early Monday morning at Richmond County Memorial Park on East Broad Avenue.
The idea, Brigman said, is to place a flag on the grave of each veteran in order to honor them and recognize their selfless service. He was assisted by a group of approximately two dozen volunteers from Temple Christian Academy. Their task was completed by 10 a.m. which, Brigman said, would allow family members visiting loves at the cemetery something special.
“They help me every year, and I’ll tell ya, they are great,” said Brigman.
Across Richmond County, the Hamlet resident represents the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 59 while placing some 4,000 flags to mark each known grave of a military service member. Brigman himself was twice wounded in combat and is a disabled veteran.
Brigman is no stranger to military service or the sacrifices that come with it. He spent 23 years, eight months and 14 days in the Army and is credit with 486 jumps while with the 82nd Airborne Division.
He doesn’t get around as well as he used to — thus the need and appreciate for the aid by willing and able Temple Christian Academy volunteers — but he dons his dress blues for the occasion each Memorial Day.
Brigman had provided this service to Richmond County veterans and their families for 26 years.
Providing this service costs money, though none of it goes to Brigman. Instead, any donations given are put directly and entirely towards the purchase of U.S. flags, which are 88 cents apiece but, at 4,000 a year, cost approximately $3,520. There are nearly 7,400 Richmond County graves marked with an American flag each May — all thanks to Brigman and his small army of volunteers.
Should anyone be interested in donating, Brigman can be reached at 910-582-4021 or reaching him by mail at Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 608, Hamlet NC 28345.