Community Corner
Route 179 Flags Pay Tribute to Service Members, Woman Who Started Tradition
Elaine Zils Memorial Flags hung Sunday.
When it comes to the flags Boy Scout Troop 77 hung along Route 179 Sunday morning, Memorial takes on special meaning.
It’s certainly no accident that they are up in time for Memorial Day but the flags also honor and continue the tradition of the late Canton woman who first put them up.
Elaine Zils began hanging flags on Route 179 in 2004, when her son Nelson was stationed in Iraq.
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In 2005, Stella Richardson and the scout troop started helping and the project grew.
In addition to her son, Elaine Zils had an older brother who served in the Air Force and she had other military connections as well, her sister Melissa Zils said.
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“She really appreciated the freedom and opportunity we have in this country,” Melissa ZIls said.
Tragically, Elaine Zils died in a car crash in 2006 but to this day members of her family and the Boy Scouts make sure the flags still fly from Memorial Day to Veteran’s Day.
“I have a great relationship with (Troop 77 Scoutmaster) Emil Huyghebaert and I really like that the boys do this every year,” said Melissa Zils. “So many people have commented on how much they like the flags. It’s just so rewarding to continue it.”
"People really look forward to it," Beth Zils said. "It's a great way to remember everyone still serving."
Friday night Melissa and Beth went through the flags, checking their condition again since doing so in the fall. Sunday morning, they transported the flags in barrels to the parking area in front of in Collinsville, where the scouts awaited at 6 a.m., loaded them into two vehicles and proceeded up 179, placing them into their holders, hanging Old Glory until they reached the Barkhamsted town line.
The Zils sisters also brought some older faded and torn flags so the Scouts could properly retire them at a later date.
Each fall they go through the flags and eventually replace ones that are too torn or faded. They buy new ones from Flagman of America in Avon and are gradually replacing old wooden poles with longer-lasting aluminum ones.
If one is damaged during the season, other family members often help with hanging the replacements, Melissa Zils said. A memorial fund helps pay for the new flags.
Melissa said she does not get the names of those who donate to the memorial fund but wants them to know she is so thankful.
“I really appreciate it when they do it because they are honoring Elaine,” she said, adding that it’s also aesthetically pleasing.
“It looks really nice,” she added.
Of course, it also pays tribute to Elaine Zils' memory.
"It reminds me of my sister," Beth Zils said.
If you would like to make a donation, please make checks payable to: Elaine Zils Memorial Flag Fund. Mail to: Collinsville Savings Society, PO Box 197, 136 Main Street, Collinsville, CT 06022.
Melissa Zils said anyone who sees a damaged flag can report it to her at 860-543-2642.
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