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Veteran honors fallen soldiers with thousands of flags in front yard
Box said the display takes about four days to assemble and honors fallen service members with at least 2,000 donated flags.
For nearly a decade, Alabama veteran Johnny Box has planted at least 2,000 flags in his Blount County yard on Memorial Day to honor those who died serving, with each flag representing a named fallen service member.
Box's father died in the Vietnam War, inspiring him to create an annual tribute that serves as a reminder of military sacrifice and the importance of keeping armed forces in the next generation's memory.
The assembly process takes about four days; Box said the effort is small compared to the sacrifices made by those being honored, with each flag bearing the name of a specific service member including Navy veteran Joseph Stressky.
Drivers recognize the flags represent fallen soldiers from their own communities and across the nation, with the display gaining annual attention as it highlights individuals across Alabama who lost their lives serving.
Box's tribute reflects a broader national movement, with similar displays including more than 2,500 flags planted at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio, ensuring future generations remember military sacrifice.