Community Prepares for POW's Arrival: Flags Ordered at Half Staff, Nonprofit Seeks Volunteers for Large Flag Setup

Doris Cast (L) and Lisa Cowles decorate the flag pole at Bank of Edmonson County on Main Street for the returning of POW PFC Frank Brooks on Thursday.

Darren Doyle, story:
The Edmonson County community is currently preparing for the return of a true American hero, POW Private First Class Thomas Franklin "Frank" Brooks, who will be brought to his final earthly resting place in the Hill Grove Cemetery on Sunday, October 1st.

Businesses and homes all across the county are decorating with American flags and yellow ribbons as we all await the homecoming for Private Brooks, the first part of which is scheduled for Thursday, September 28th. While there has been a solemn mood when discussions of PVT Brooks arise, it is also followed with pride and celebration as the county anticipates his arrival.

Today, Edmonson County Judge/Executive Scott Lindsey issued an executive order for all flags to be lowered to half-staff beginning on Thursday at 10AM and remaining through Monday, October 2nd at 12PM.

photo from theflagmanmission.org

Earlier today, we were contacted by Jeff Hastings of O'Fallon Illinois, CEO of a nonprofit group called The Flag Man Mission Continues. Hastings said "The Flagman’s Mission Continues needs help from the community of Brownsville Kentucky/ Mammoth Cave, Kentucky and surrounding communities to line the funeral route with up to 600, 3 x 5 flags on 10-foot poles to show respect to a fallen hero.  If you can carry 5-lbs and walk you can help! Should be able to accomplish this in about 2-3 hours with enough help."

He also provided the following information for anyone that wants to help with the displaying of the flagpoles:

• SET-UP Saturday, September, 30th, 2023 @ 9AM central time Location: Hill Grove Missionary Baptist Cemetery, 1900 Dickeys Mill Road, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, 42259 
• TAKE DOWN Sunday, October 1st, 2023 @ 2PM Central Time Location: Hill Grove Missionary Baptist Cemetery Same location
• NOTES:

• We will need approximately 6 clean empty pickup trucks ( no trailers please) to transport some flags
• We will be bringing 600 flags, needed equipment and provide instructions for setting up and taking down flags
• Recommend wear gloves and walking shoes. Your own beverages, hydrate.
• Youth  groups, children (prefer over the age of 11) are encouraged to help. 
•There is no commitment or sign up, just show up either or both days if you can.  We need just as many people to take down the flags as we need to set them up.   

Hastings said anyone with questions please call or text him at 618-409-0323. You can find out more at theflagmanmission.org.

Hastings said the group provides this service for free, covering a 400-mile radius in nine different states. "We average 40-45 funerals a year, mainly active duty military that die while on active," he said.

Slideshow photos submitted by Melanie Vincent:

According to Patton Funeral Home, his remains will transferred from the U.S. Army to Patton Funeral Home and family members at the Louisville International Airport at 5:35PM, eastern time.

A processional will follow from the airport on 31W to Elizabethtown, then I-65 to the Park City exit. The processional will then travel through Mammoth Cave National Park on HWY 70, then onto Main Street in Brownsville. Travel will then continue around the square at approximately 6PM where all citizens are encouraged to gather to wave American flags and yellow ribbons in his honor.

He will be then taken to Patton Funeral Home until the next morning, Friday, September 29th. The funeral home will transport him to Kyrock Elementary for a short ceremony of honor outside at 8:45AM. The procession will then travel to Edmonson County High School as students from ECHS, the middle school, and the 5/6 Center will combine for an approximate 30-minute program in the gymnasium with guest speakers.

All local officials, veterans, and the public are invited to attend the ceremony at ECHS, but they must check in with school officials upon arrival at the gym.

Upon completion of the ECHS ceremony, the procession will then travel to South Edmonson Elementary for a similar ceremony to that of Kyrock's.

There is no public visitation scheduled at the funeral home.

On Sunday, the funeral procession will depart from Patton Funeral Home at 10AM and travel to Hill Grove Missionary Baptist Church, located on Dickey's Mill Road, for a graveside memorial service at 11AM.