LOWER LAKE — Brendan Melton, 18, is looking for a replacement. The recent Carl? graduate is headed to basic training with the Army in Fort Benning, GA.
For the last 10 years Melton has served as a proud volunteer for the Avenue of the Flags organization; an organization with a mission to preserve and honor the memory of veterans, maintain and present to the public, twice a year, burial flags. There are more than 750 flags housed in Lake County to honor the veterans.
Melton wants to encourage others to volunteer for the position he enjoyed for the past decade.
“It”s a great nostalgic feeling, it”s a ritual for me-honoring the troops that we”ve lost,” Melton said.
Melton began serving the organization when he was a Cub Scout.
He looks forward to the rigorous training he is about to endure as he prepares for infantry/combat duty. He is also excited to travel.
“I want to go everywhere,” Melton said.
He was born in Santa Rosa, and in his 18 years has only seen Santa Rosa, Petaluma and Lake County. The Avenue of the Flags organization serves as an example to Melton about the honor associated with serving his country to guarantee the freedoms he enjoys.
Melton is the youngest of the five children in his family. His mother, Becky Flaherty is “very proud of him.” Her son-in-law serves in the United States Navy and her step-son will go in to the Army in October. Flaherty is also set to serve as a vice-president for the Avenue of the Flags.
Also in attendance to wish Melton well, just prior to Independence Day, was Harry Graves, treasurer of Avenue of the Flags and a retiree who volunteers in multiple organizations.
Mandy Feder can be reached at mfeder@record-bee.com.
