$4k raised for free Memorial Day flag fund

LOVES PARK — A veteran, who orchestrates an American flag giveaway each Memorial Day to decorate veterans’ graves, is making headway toward funding the program after he’s gone.

Lee Hartsfield has raised $4,000 so far for a fund that will keep the program going.

“I think that’s pretty good for the first year,” said Hartsfield, a Navy vet who will be 88 in October.

Hartsfield said this spring he wants to raise $25,000 for the flag program. An anonymous donor will match that amount. Hartsfield said $50,000 should be sufficient for a perpetual free flag program.

Between the donations and the match, he has about $8,000 so far.

In 1984 Hartsfield, a retired floral and gift retailer, organized other flower shops in the area to contribute to the flag giveaway after Winnebago County cut funding for Memorial Day flags. While most of the other stores are gone, Hartsfield has continued raising about $3,000 a year for flag money.

This year Hartsfield raised money for flag distribution and for the endowment fund.

He put a .50-caliber ammo box near the flags for fund donations, though he did not require a donation for a flag. He said most donations were small, but he received one $1,000 donation and two $250 donations.

“My target for each of the next several years is $5,000 a year,” he said. “My intent is to continue this until I die.”

If you wish to contribute, send a check to Free Flags for Veterans’ Graves, P.O. Box 2192, Loves Park, IL 61130.

Brian Leaf: 815-987-1343; bleaf@rrstar.com; @b_leaf