By Sarah Schulz
sarah.schulz@theindependent.com

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Independent/Scott Kingsley Rex Nissen attaches the American flag and Army flag to clips so they can be hoisted by Dwight Willcock on the brand new flagpole outside Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora. Independent/Scott Kingsley Ken Howland of Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora helps raise a flagpole with (from left), Terry Willis, Alan Vetter and Tom Penner outside the business. Click Thumbnails to View

The flags were secured to a brand new flagpole erected Wednesday morning in front of Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora. The American flag will fly from the new pole "24/7," once a light is installed, said Mike McQuiston, an owner and funeral director at the mortuary. A military flag from one of the five service branches will be flown whenever there is a funeral for a veteran in the Aurora area, he said.

"We're happy to do it," McQuiston said. "It's just a small way to say 'thank you.'"

The idea was the brainchild of Army veteran Edgar Tucker, first vice commander of American Legion Post 42.

The mortuary regularly flew an American flag from two hooks on its covered porch, but Tucker thought adding a military flag would be a nice touch. When he approached the funeral home's owners with the idea, they were immediately on board, he said.

"They are super," he said.

The mortuary owners purchased the pole and flags, and they paid to have the concrete poured for the base. A plaque is fixed to the base with the inscription: "Dedicated to all veterans. All gave some, some gave all." It was donated by Wegner Monument Co. in Central City, Tucker said.

McQuiston said they prepared for the pole's installation by cutting down a tree in front of the funeral home. They've also made arrangements for a light to be installed near the flagpole Friday.

"This is not about the funeral home. This is about them," he said, gesturing at the veterans standing nearby. "We have a great honor guard here."

McQuiston said the mortuary works with the American Legion's color guard on a regular basis and they are always willing to attend a funeral, even during less-than-desirable weather.

On Wednesday, three men hoisted the flagpole onto the base and a mortuary employee inserted a few doorstops in the hole to temporarily hold the pole in place. The flags were then raised. The decision was made to use the Army flag because the mortuary has a funeral for an Army veteran scheduled for Saturday, McQuiston said.

Melvin Loge, an American Legion chaplain and Army veteran, led the small crowd gathered on the funeral home's front porch in prayer. He said memorials can be traced back to Biblical times, when several rocks were set up along the banks of the Jordan River to remind others that God led the Israelites out of Egypt.

"(These) flags are a reminder that a price has been paid," Loge said. "We are grateful to live in the United States, the land of the free and the home of the brave may it always be so."

Tucker also spoke briefly to the crowd. He thanked everyone for their involvement and help with the project, including VFW Post 4993, which had members at the ceremony.

"I'd like to see this eventually go nationwide," he said.