Festival of flags honors Veterans in Ringgold
RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) – Community members in Ringgold, Georgia are once again honoring their heroes in a breathtaking and patriotic way.
The city’s annual Festival of Flags is more than a visual tribute — it’s a tradition rooted in pride, sacrifice, and remembrance.
Since the 1970s, this event has been growing in size and meaning, bringing neighbors together to salute those who have served and sacrificed.
More than two thousand American flags and white memorial crosses now line the streets of Ringgold, winding through downtown and along major roads.
Each cross bears a name — a symbol of courage, loss, and legacy.
Tom Weldon, a former state legislator, emphasized the importance of that legacy, especially for younger generations.
“The younger generations get to see the names of the people on these crosses that represent them giving their lives and where they served so that all of us could have freedom,” he explained.
Veterans and their families say the display is a powerful reminder of community support.
“Oh, my father was in the Air Force. I served in the Army. I was deployed in Iraq,” shared Mike Kirby, a local veteran. “So it’s really great to feel the support and appreciation from the community for the veterans.”
While patriotism may feel distant in some places, many in Ringgold say their town holds tightly to those values.
“People don’t realize what it means anymore,” said Mike McDaris, a longtime community member. “They just don’t seem to care. But Ringgold does a lot to honor their veterans.”
That sentiment echoed through the crowd as families stopped to read the names on the crosses and reflect on their meaning.
“We are lucky to be Americans,” expressed Tonyia Johnston, standing among the flags. “And I’m so proud to be an American.”
From soldiers lost in battle to those who served in World War I and beyond, the Festival of Flags honors the past while inspiring future generations to remember what freedom truly costs.
The flags will remain on display through June 2nd.
