Volunteers place hundreds of flags at Air Force Academy to honor the fallen

About four dozen volunteers gathered Thursday morning at the U.S. Air Force Academy memorial to honor the veterans who served in the Armed Forces.

The volunteers were former veterans, their family and others who had personal connections to the deceased servicemen and women.

“I think it’s important because these people spent their lives helping to protect us,” said Dawn Rittenhouse, who dropped off flowers at her father’s grave in the Academy memorial.

“What brings me out here is to take that opportunity to honor those that have fallen,” said Maj. Rigoberto Perez. “All those that have given the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms that we live and enjoy today.

Perez said he hopes younger generations will also remember the service that thousands of veterans dedicated their lives to.

Some of the notable individuals buried at the memorial include Medal of Honor recipient Army Master Sgt. William Crawford and 1st Lt. Roslyn Schulte, Academy Class of 2006, who was the first female graduate to be killed in combat.

Eleanor Judd said she was placing flags as a way to return favors.

“My husband is buried in the Arlington cemetery and somebody is doing it for him,” Judd said. “I thought it would be really nice to do it here at the same time.”

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