Schiel family flag tradition being passed on after 30 years

Flag on a veteran’s grave, Memorial Day, 2023. Photo by Sara Swanson.

submitted by John A. Schiel

The torch of a Manchester tradition is being passed.

Since 1994 the Schiel family placed the flags on the graves of deceased veterans in the Manchester area every Memorial Day. The Schiel family is made up of Charles, a 100% disabled Vietnam veteran and a life member of the Emil Jacob Post 117 American Legion, and his wife, Joanne, a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary, along with sons James and John Schiel, Sons of the Legion members from Post 117. The family started this voyage together with past Legion member Jim Kensler. The family enjoyed the project together but due to the declining health of Charles and Joanne, they are unable to do continue.

The family not only did the Manchester cemeteries, but a total of 14 cemeteries around the community. During the last 20 years the family enlisted John’s wife, Tuesdee Schiel, and James’s children, Zippy and Orean, to help in Oak Grove and St. Mary’s cemeteries. There was never a set day of the week to do it; often it was decided the day of that that was the day they were going to get it done. Charles and Joanne handled surrounding cemeteries themselves.

When Charles was asked why he enjoyed placing the flags on the veterans’ stones he said, “It makes me feel good. A lot of these veterans, this is all that they get, a flag.”

When Joanne was asked about this project she stated, ‘“It’s a great feeling to do this. It also means a lot to my husband and now the family.”

The Schiel family set out on a mission and feel satisfied that they accomplished it for all of these decades.

John stated, “It is something that, yes, it takes time, but, you know, there is some of these veterans who went to war not knowing what is going to happen or ‘will I make it home.’ It took a half of a day to do this and it’s worth it to make me feel like something good can come out of the negative around.”

The Jay Clouse family, American Legion and Sons of the Legion members, will be taking over. The Clouse family are excited to pick up this project and continue the tradition.

John Schiel (left) with his parents, Charles (center) and Joanne (right). Photo courtesy of John Schiel.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and a founder of the Manchester Mirror.