Volunteers needed to help protect Symbols of Sacrifice display
Help is needed to ensure that the nearly 7,000 flags posted on the Fort Scott National Historic Site parade grounds remain safe during the week they will be displayed for the Symbols of Sacrifice event.
The flags will be set on Thursday by several youth volunteers, according to Jim Scott, member of Friends of the Fort. Each flag represents an individual who lost their lives in the Middle East during the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"There have been instances around the country where people have done things to the flags and we want to make sure that doesn't happen in Fort Scott," Scott said.
The event is being organized by Friends of the Fort, a support organization for the Fort Scott National Historic Site. Although the two are partnering, the event is not a FSNHS function, and the Fort does not have staff available 24 hours a day, according to Scott.
The Friends of the Fort is looking for two people to watch over the display from midnight to 6 a.m. from Thursday through Sept. 14. The time can be divided into shifts, he said.
"Bring their chair, bring their flashlight, bring their cell phone and keep an eye on things and if they see anything, just simply call the police right away," Scott said. "They're not to take action."
Anyone interested in volunteering may call Jim Scott at 224-9920.
There will be three special events taking place in front of the fort: on Saturday, Wednesday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 14 with ceremonies that include Gold Star mothers and Gov. Sam Brownback. Names of those lost during the War on Terror will be read on Saturday and names of those lost on 9/11 will be read on Wednesday, Sept. 11.