New flag flies at Czech cemetery

The American flag arrived just in time for Memorial Day at the Czech National Cemetery, located about seven miles southwest of Blooming Prairie in Summit Township.
“It’s the candle on the cake,” said Jim Johnson, capping the cleanup work done at the cemetery the past two years.
The flag is flown over a 25-foot-high flagpole.
Jim Johnson and Bob Starman, both volunteers at the cemetery, said 2,500 pounds of concrete was poured at the base of the lighted pole, which carries a 5-by-8 foot flag.
The American flag arrived eight days before the Memorial Day holiday. The flag will be flown only on special occasions and holidays.
The Czech cemetery is maintained by Johnson, Bob Starman, Mark Starman, Steve Wencl, and Shirley Johnson.
The committee thanks all who donated money to purchase the large pole, which came from the same company that supplied a larger flagpole for the Blooming Prairie Veterans Memorial.
“We wouldn’t be doing all of this improvement at the cemetery if it weren’t for all of the generous donations,” said Starman.
The work at the cemetery is not done, Johnson and Starman said. A tree garden with lilacs, choke berry and cranberry varieties is being added to the greenery.
Another future project focuses on raising some stones that have sunk deep into the ground and are covered by grass.
Smiling widely, Johnson points to Starman and credits him with building a contraption that will raise the stones. Johnson said other cemeteries have been inspired to do improvements, following the Czech National Cemetery’s lead.