Veterans remembered by Flags For Our Heroes

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- In honor of this Veteran's Day, we visited Houston National Cemetery today. It's where one local educator began a journey to show her respect for every single veteran.

Charles Townsend was a Master Sergeant in the Army during World War II. During the Spring of 2007, exactly one month apart, Townsend and his wife were laid to rest at the Houston National Cemetery. Kerrie Gustin is their granddaughter.

"The first year that we brought to my grandparent's grave, thought it was very sad there were so many people here that had no one to honor them," said Gustin.

Gustin is also a first grade teacher in Magnolia ISD. She turned to her students for help. They collected 150 flags. But, Gustin says, "That was only four rows in my grandparent's section and we really wanted to do more."

The organization Flag For Our Heroes was officially born. The following year, Gustin collected 1,000 flags. The next year, the number of flags doubled.

"This is a very small thing we can do to honor them, to show them that we remember them, we appreciate their sacrifices," Gustin said.

Eventually, flag donations poured in, now, 70,000 graves receive a flag on Memorial Day.

Flag For Our Heroes continues its patriotism on Veteran's Day, so no one is forgotten for their service and sacrifice.

Gustin says, "They go away from their families, they put themselves in harm's way and they protect the cause of freedom all over the world."

You can find more information about Flags For Our Heroes at: bit.ly/flagsforourheroes.