A generous gift shows a way to honor our memories of a Veteran and their memorial flag.
Edith Stewart had a generous idea to donate her departed husband David’s military flag for the Stokes County Extension’s building. And the idea was embraced by all of us. The SEMGV group helped to buy a flag pole and the Extension office worked with the county on the installation and spotlights needed.
As the first news article below says, “Old Glory flies not just for one dearly departed soul, but also for all who serve.”
You will find more details in the second article, including the following line. “Edith Stewart expressed her hope that other families of veterans might offer their flags to civic and community groups to be flown in the veteran’s honor and memory for all to see and appreciate.” So please spread the idea to other groups, especially within the NC Extension Master Gardeners.
Edith Stewart hands the flag to Joan Barnes, our President 
Joan expresses all of our thanks to Edith 
David Stewart images with
the flag flying proudly
Master Gardeners honor memory of Vietnam veteran
DANBURY — The North Carolina State Stokes County Master Gardener volunteers requested a flag pole to raise a flag in memory of a member’s husband, David A. Stewart.
Airman First Class Stewart left a mark on all of us when he stood for America. He departed for the Vietnam War and served from 1961 until his honorable discharge in 1965. As an aircraft mechanic technician, his duty was to maintain the most powerful jets during the war.
One strong memory was the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963. Stewart, among many, was on high alert that night, readying the planes for any attack, whether it came or not.
“Old Glory looks out from its case in our home, a reminder of courage, memory and honor,” said Edith Stewart. “Its colors represent freedom for us, a gift from Veterans Affairs to honor one man’s service when he died. The flag cannot remain contained. It must unfurl and allow every last breath of airmen, soldiers, marines, sailors and those in the National Guard to wave its blue field and red and white stripes in the wind.”
As you drive to the N.C. Cooperative Extension and N.C. Forestry Services offices at 700 North Main Street, remember that Old Glory flies not just for one dearly departed soul, but also for all who serve.
Flag ceremony held at county Extension office
A flag ceremony was held on July 15 at the Stokes County Cooperative Extension office to commemorate Stokes Extension Master Gardener Volunteer (SEMGV), Edith Stewart’s deceased husband, David.
When the United States Air Force veteran passed away in February of this year, Edith Stewart received the traditional American flag honoring his service. She declared that the flag would do no one any good tucked away in a drawer, and found a better use for it.
Stewart approached the SEMGV, SEMGV Association (of which she is a founding member) and Stokes County Cooperative Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources agent, Bryan Hartman, with an idea to give the flag to the SEMGV to display at the office. While his health permitted, David Stewart assisted with various projects in support of the organization. Hartman made the necessary arrangements with Stokes County Cooperative Extension and had a new telescoping flag pole erected at the entrance to the office.
The service, attended by a majority of the SEMGV, was formalized by a Statement of Purpose by Kathy Blue, the Presentation of the Colors by Edith Stewart, the Acceptance of the Colors by Joan Barnes, the Raising of the Colors by Hartman, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance by all present.
Edith Stewart expressed her hope that other families of veterans might offer their flags to civic and community groups to be flown in the veteran’s honor and memory for all to see and appreciate.
Here are some additional photographs of the ceremony and flag raising.
SEMGVA 