A sunny Friday afternoon found Newtown Woman's Club General Federation of Women's Club (GFWC) members placing flags around the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on the corner of Main Street and Schoolhouse Hill Road.

As many as 190 flags were placed on the lawn on May 27. While the women worked, setting the hand-held flags firmly into the ground, drivers passing by beeped or waved. Jan Happel pushed a pole into the ground, easing the way for a flag's post to settle into a sturdy position. Chris Duran followed Ms Happel, pressing flags into position.

At the monument's base are plaques engraved with names of Newtown's veterans who served in various wars. Residents who have served as far back as the Revolutionary War are honored on the plaques.

In a gesture of recognition for those who have served this country both past and present, club members every year place flags around the monument, which was dedicated in 1931 as the Liberty & Peace Monument.

Many of the flags included ribbons with a serviceman or woman's name. The flags with ribbons represent those that are sponsored by members of the club and the public. The woman's club invites the public each spring to sponsor flags, at $2 each, to honor a veteran of the donor's choice.

Co-Chairman Marion Thompson surveyed the flags already set in place and considered the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. Trying to recall how long the club has been placing out the flags in recognition to veterans, she said, "About ten years. We don't think about it. We just do it."

Also assisting that afternoon were Betty Warner, Nancy Kennedy, Pat Bailey, and David Thompson.

The club leaves the flags in place through Flag Day.