Flagging Sunset: American Legion remembers and honors those that passed

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent

Martha Goodman Bridges stands in front of Warren F. Hoyle's memorial headstone. Hoyle was killed during The Great War, in 1918. His remains were buried in France. | Chuck Thompson

MEMORIAL DAY, SUNSET CEMETERY – The sun stayed hidden behind the clouds as the rain stopped for The American Legion Squadron 82 family, made up of the Auxiliary Post 82 and Sons of The American Legion (SAL), which operates out of the Warren F. Hoyle American Legion Post 82, to take time on Memorial Day morning to place flags at the headstones of the graves marked with United States Military Service.

The planned ceremonial event had to be canceled at Sunset and Webb cemeteries due to rain over the weekend, but Monday morning volunteers came out, without a ceremony, to no fanfare or speeches, just quietly placing flags at the graves of U.S. Service personnel, both those killed in action, and veterans alike that have since passed.

“We do what we can do to help,” said Fred DeBell, Commander of the Sons of The American Legion, speaking on the flagging tradition. “It’s really an honor and privilege.”

Martha Goodman Bridges, a past commander of The American Legion Post 82, Army veteran and of Norris Merchandise, spoke to The Shelby Independent about a special marker for Cleveland County resident Warren Finley Hoyle, for whom Post 82 is named for, was killed in Action during The Great War, at Chateau-Thierry, France, on June 2, 1918. His remains were left in France, but his family erected a headstone in his memory that he shares with his sister, Emma, who passed away during the Spanish Flu epidemic in December 1918.

“Hoyle graduated from Shelby High School and went to college in Kentucky, and then went to Indiana to work, and that's where he joined the military and was sent to France,” explained Bridges. “He died from being hit by an artillery shell.”

(Flagging / Hoyle's fate at the Battle of Chateau-Thierry continued below...)

According to reports found online in historical archives, the battle where Hoyle was killed lasted from late May to July 1918. Château-Thierry was an important engagement in 1918. Fresh American troops, primarily the U.S. 3rd Division and Marines, joined French forces to halt the German Spring Offensive, preventing the Germans from crossing the Marne River.

On May 27, 1918, a massive German offensive broke through French lines, reaching the Marne River. This placed the German army just 40 miles from Paris.

Thrown into the battle, to fill the breach in the French lines, the U.S. 7th Machine Gun Battalion (part of the 3rd Division) took up defensive positions on the south bank of the Marne on May 31. The U.S. troops provided covering fire to allow French forces to retreat and detonate and destroy all river crossings in the area.

Hoyle was killed on June 3 during this pivotal battle as the Germans made one final push for Paris. Germany would eventually sue for peace and The Great War ended on Nov. 11, 1918, on the 11^th hour of that day. Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11th every year, in memory of the armistice signed to end The Great War.

“It’s important that we remember those that gave all,” added Bridges. “Who were so brave and so fearless and killed in combat; they didn’t get to experience the joys we have of families, love and country, but their sacrifice allowed us to have those experiences and for that I am very thankful.”

Volunteers were scattered across Sunset Cemetery in groups of two and three, sometimes more, placing U.S. flags at American soldiers' final resting places.

Sherry Yocum, veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Chairman of the Cleveland County GOP, was there with Vice-Chair Paul Ledford, flagging graves as they walked through Sunset, reading each headstone carefully, looking for indications of service on the graves.

Sherry Yocum and Paul Ledford flag the headstones of a group of unknown Civil War soldiers.

“Serving my country was an honor,” noted Yocum. “And all these individuals who died to let us have our freedom – who sacrificed their lives – that we will never forget. That we continue to tell our children and remind others of their sacrifice.”

Ledford, who served in the 505^th Engineer Unit of The National Guard, noted, “It is an honor to be here today to serve not only the country but to remember and honor those that paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”

Yocum also said she would like to see an initiative to clean the headstones of the military personnel at rest in Sunset Cemetery. “Some of these are old and I can barely read the engraving,” she added. “I think it’s important that we plan to clean these so that they can never be overlooked.”

Zachary Parker, a past Commander of Sons of American Legion 2022-24, and a charter member of the organization, and also Town Manager of Boiling Springs, spoke on the sacred tradition.

“I am grateful to be a part of this every year. We have been doing this now for several years, since the founding of the SAL here in Cleveland County, and this not only pays respect to those that gave their lives but is a somber reminder that freedom has a price and we must never forget the brave men and women that have made the ultimate sacrifice. The least we can do - and I am so thankful to be involved - is to take time to place these flags in remembrance of their bravery and the loved ones they left behind at home that they never got to see again.”

Memorial Day was established on May 30, 1868, as "Decoration Day," to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers. Under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971, Memorial Day was officially declared a federal holiday and moved to the final Monday of May by President Richard Nixon.

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Chuck Thompson is a reporter and columnist for The Shelby Independent. 

2026, The Shelby Independent.