The annual Veterans Day tradition of placing U.S. flags at Riverside National Cemetery to honor those who served and are buried there may not happen this year because of the U.S. government shutdown.
Volunteers gather a few days before Veterans Day — as well as before Memorial Day — to plant a small flag at each veteran’s grave. More than 270,000 flags are placed each Veterans Day, officials said.
A Flag for Every Hero is organized by Honoring Our Fallen, an Orange County-based nonprofit group dedicated to the nation’s fallen and the families left behind.
Its leaders warned volunteers online and on social media of the “potential cancellation” of the event, currently scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8, at 8 a.m.
“This is due to circumstances beyond our control, and we are assessing the situation to determine the best course of action,” the group’s website states.
“Due to the ongoing shutdown, the cemetery is operating with a very reduced crew, which may impact their ability to accommodate our over 1,000 volunteers,” Laura Herzog, the founder of Honoring Our Fallen, said in a statement. “We remain hopeful that we can find a way to proceed with the flag placements.”
The event traditionally features an honor guard ceremony and volunteers — including Boy and Girl Scouts, Civil Air Patrol cadets, union members, families and former military personnel placing thousands of red, white and blue flags at gravesites.
The Riverside cemetery, which serves the Inland Empire, remains open to visitors from sunrise to sunset during the shutdown, but staffing is limited, officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs, which manages the military cemetery, said in a social media post. A post cited the “federal government lapse in appropriations.”
“Staff may not be on hand to receive you, as we are focused on interments only,” the post states.
Officials recommend calling the cemetery office at 951-653-8417 to see if an employee is available.
Herzog, of Honoring Our Fallen, said in an interview that the parties are discussing a plan to “safely accommodate the thousands of volunteers eager to assist” while accounting for the cemetery’s staffing issues.
“Given these factors, we recognize that proceeding may not be in the best interest of all involved,” she said.
Herzog cited the need for cemetery staff to help manage traffic from volunteers and visitors, ensure the safety of children at the event and to manage the restrooms.
If the formal Nov.8 event is canceled, Herzog reminded visitors that still want to honor fallen veterans at the cemetery that they can visit.
Military burials are still happening at national cemeteries — including Riverside, Bakersfield and Miramar. She noted that cemetery employees have been present at burials for active-duty service members and veterans, and that families have been supported.
“Despite uncertainties about current staffing levels, I want to reassure you that internments for our fallen service members and veterans are ongoing,” Herzog said. “The cemetery’s primary mission is to provide a sacred space for those who have bravely served, and this mission continues to be fulfilled.”
Keith Allen, executive director of the Riverside National Cemetery, confirmed in a Thursday, Oct. 30, email that the National Administration Cemetery Administration will decide whether it can support the annual flag-placing tribute no later than Tuesday, Nov. 4.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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