HAMLET — For the 27th year, Jimmy Brigman will continue his solemn salute.
The retired Army master sergeant kneels beside the graves of fallen comrades each Memorial Day and stakes a miniature American flag into the grass. With help from an ad-hoc militia of volunteers, 5,000 red, white and blue banners dot the landscape of Richmond County’s cemeteries.
“I didn’t think I’d be able to do it this year,” said Brigman, now 87 years old, “but it would hurt me if I couldn’t do it.”
The annual custom takes place early in the morning with no fanfare. It’s a quiet gesture of gratitude. While he doesn’t seek recognition or applause, Brigman does ask for help in purchasing the small flags. It’s a revolving cost he incurs as the elements take their toll on Old Glory.
“Flags don’t last that long in bad weather,” he said. “Each year, I replace over half of them. I took a ride the other day to Richmond Memorial Park just to ride through there and look at the flags, and there may be a hundred and a half out there. Some people will come at night and steal them.”
This year, Brigman hopes to raise at least $3,200 to purchase a new set of American flags.
“I’ve got about 500 (flags) on hand,” Brigman said. “I’d like to put out about 5,000.”
Donors can be confident that every cent they contribute will be used to purchase flags, Brigman said. He collected $3,680 in 2015 and saves all remaining donations in a special flag fund at his bank.
“People give me that money because they trust me,” he said. “I wouldn’t take a dime of that money. I couldn’t live with myself if I did.”
Richmond County has given generously to the cause each year. Brigman said those who donate to the flag fund do so to honor the community’s fallen heroes.
“I feel like they appreciate the veterans and what they’ve done for this country,” he said. “When they donate, it’s because in their heart, they are thankful for the veterans. The people in this county, oh, they are so good.”
Brigman has begun collecting donations and growing the flag fund so he can place a bulk order with a wholesaler in early May. If the cash comes in on schedule, he’ll have 5,000 bright, crisp banners to adorn the county’s cemeteries on May 30.
“If I can get enough, I order them the first or second of May and it takes them about a week and a half,” he said.
For the past several years, students at Temple Christian School have joined Brigman at Richmond Memorial Park to place flags at all marked veteran gravesites. Teams of volunteers fan out so each cemetery is included.
Wounded in both World War II and Korea, Brigman retired from the Army after serving for 23 years, 8 months. He earned two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star.
Brigman knows that someday, he’ll no longer be able to lead the Memorial Day salute himself. In the meantime, he’s grateful for his good health and looks forward to making the trip.
“I turned 87 in October, and I’m still going,” he said. I do a lot for my church (Calvary Baptist Church in Hamlet). I’m just glad I can. Everything I do, I do for the Lord.”
To help purchase 5,000 new flags, mail donations to Jimmy Brigman at 100 Woodlawn Ave., Hamlet, NC 28345. Checks should be made out to Brigman with “Flag Fund” written in the memo line.
Reach Editor Corey Friedman at 910-817-2670 and follow him on Twitter @corey_friedman.