Overview
- On day 41 of the federal shutdown, Great Lakes National Cemetery in Michigan canceled its official Veterans Day ceremony and mass flag placement.
- The Heroes Operation said its president, Anthony Munafo, bought roughly 15,000 flags and set a noon volunteer effort to cover as many of the 30,000 graves as possible.
- In Riverside, California, the annual event that typically places about 250,000 flags was called off because of limited staffing during the funding lapse.
- More than 300 members of the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters placed about 2,400 flags at Riverside National Cemetery after the cancellation.
- Event organizer Laura Herzog cited constrained access to facilities, trash management and traffic control needs in explaining the decision, and both cemeteries remain open to visitors.