VFW Post 626 in Bellaire, Ohio, donated 50 brand-new U.S. flags to the village of Bellaire to display on Memorial Day weekend.
Holding one of the 50 new U.S. flags donated to the village of Bellaire by the Bellaire VFW are, from left, Village Administrator Mike Wallace, VFW Commander Tom Cottello and Councilwoman Nikki Liberatore. Photo by Shelley Hanson/The Times-Leader (Martins Ferry, Ohio).VFW Post 626 Commander Tom Collette said that earlier this year, he was asked by Bellaire Councilwoman Nikki Liberatore if the Post was willing to donate 50 U.S. flags to display in downtown Bellaire during holidays, such as Memorial Day and Independence Day. She told him that the village’s flags were aged and worn out.
Collette said that Post 626 gives U.S. flags to any veteran of the community free of charge. He added that “it’s the least” he and his Post could do for veterans.
“Of course, we wanted to help out Bellaire,” Collette said. “So, I asked the members of the Post if they were willing to donate the flags, and they agreed.
According to The Times-Leader in Martins Ferry, Ohio, Village Councilwoman Nikki Liberatore said that Bellaire is grateful for the donation.
“They were really appreciating of it,” Collette said. “We were happy to help them out. VFW is all about helping veterans and communities.”
Collette added that the work his Post has done couldn’t have happened without the help of its Auxiliary.
“I believe we have the best Auxiliary in the state of Ohio,” Collette said.