NJ students plant 6,800 flags in honor of Memorial Day

Much of Memorial Day weekend will be devoted to the beach and backyard barbecues.

However the students at Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin have some business to attend to first.

Every year before Memorial Day they and the middle schoolers spend hours putting thousands of small American flags into the ground.

Each one of the 6,847 flags that they plant represents a U.S. soldier killed in Iraq or Afghanistan.

"They sacrificed a lot for our country and gave up a lot and what they did was big. I wouldn't be able to do that, I'll tell you that," said Frank Amiano, student.

"People are risking their lives every day, helping us and this is like a big way for us to say thank you from Southern Regional," said Amber Roberts, student.

It's personal for this community. Southern Regional grad Kareem Khan was killed in Iraq in 2007.

"We want the kids to understand what Memorial Day is all about. It's a very powerful day for a lot of community members and veterans," said Marilyn Dougherty, display organizer.

"This touches me as you can hear in my voice. I'm proud of all these kids for what they do," said Mark Simpson, Vietnam veteran.

Veteran Mike McManus just showed up to help out.

"I had some buddies over the years, whether Iraq or Afghanistan, who died so it means a lot to me. And a lot of the kids, they understand that," said McManus.

One student whose dad is currently deployed to Afghanistan thinks memorials like this are moving visual reminders.

"How many soldiers have fought for their country and lost their lives and how important it is to recognize them," said Sam Laubach, student.

On Friday morning at 10:30, the community is invited to a Memorial Day service at the flag field.

There will be a choir, orchestra and student readings.

It's a chance for everyone to remember what Memorial Day is really about.