Oregon Foundation Boosts Flag Tribute with $20K Match

Hundreds of American flags that once honored veterans at their final farewell will soon have a permanent home, thanks to a $20,000 matching gift from a local foundation.

The Greater Hermiston Community Foundation is partnering with American Legion Post No. 37 to complete the Avenue of Flags program. The initiative aims to build an insulated storage building at Hermiston Cemetery to preserve 500 to 700 flags donated after veteran funeral services.

The American Legion post has already raised more than $60,000 toward the $100,000 goal. With the foundation's matching pledge, every new dollar donated will be doubled, bringing the finish line within reach.

The building will do more than just store fabric and thread. It will protect the flags so they can continue their mission of honoring service members during Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and other patriotic occasions when they line the cemetery grounds.

"The Avenue of Flags is a meaningful local tribute to the men and women who have served our country," said GHCF Secretary Cindy Middleton. The foundation works to improve quality of life across Hermiston and surrounding communities including Umatilla, Irrigon, Stanfield, and Echo.

The Ripple Effect

This matching campaign represents more than completing a construction project. It strengthens a tradition that connects generations of community members to those who served.

Each flag tells a story of service and sacrifice. By preserving them properly, the storage building ensures these symbols continue teaching younger generations about duty and honor for years to come.

The matching funds also demonstrate how strategic philanthropy can energize community giving. A well-timed boost often inspires donors who were on the fence to finally contribute, knowing their impact will be doubled.

Residents can donate directly to American Legion Post No. 37 through their website at americanlegionpost37.org. Every contribution made will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Greater Hermiston Community Foundation until the $20,000 match fund is exhausted.

For a small Oregon town, this project shows what's possible when organizations pool resources around a shared vision that honors the past while building for the future.