The Kiwanis Club of Clermont continues a heartfelt tradition this Memorial Day by honoring those who gave their lives in service to the United States. Since the late 1980s, the organization has recognized local heroes laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery in Clermont by placing American flags on each gravesite.
In 2018, the program expanded to include first responders, acknowledging their vital role in protecting our community. Today, 547 known gravesites are honored with flags each Memorial Day and Veterans Day. This year, flags will remain in place through May 31.
The Kiwanis Club expressed gratitude to the dedicated Key Club students from South Lake High School and Lake Minneola High School, as well as community volunteers who assisted with the flag placement. The City of Clermont also supported this meaningful project.
Chuck Seaver, a lifelong Clermont resident and current president of the Kiwanis Club of Clermont, shared the origins of the tradition. “It started over 40 years ago when my grandfather, Oakley Seaver, and his sister, Nelle Seaver, began walking the cemetery, placing flags on veterans’ graves. They created the original map that we still use today to locate the veterans’ sites.”
As the number of honored graves grew, Oakley Seaver, a long-time Kiwanian, asked the club to take over the project. Since then, the club has faithfully continued the tradition, placing flags each Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
“I took over the program in 2018,” added Seaver, “and since then, we’ve included first responders, recognizing their vital role in keeping our community safe.”
The sea of flags at Oak Hill Cemetery stands as a solemn and powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served—and a tribute to those who continue to protect our freedom.
Visitors are encouraged to take a peaceful drive through Oak Hill Cemetery to witness this moving tribute.
