HASKELL, N.J. (NCC News) — John Kee has a Sunday routine. He wakes up early, walks his two dogs, comes home and drinks a cup of coffee.
However, something gave Kee a reason to break from his standard procedure last week.
A shredded American flag hung limp on his neighbor’s flagpole. Seeing that flag did not sit well with Kee, a four-year Navy veteran. He cut his walk short and knocked on his neighbor’s front door.
Kee offered to exchange Gail Marsh’s flag with a brand new one and clean up her front yard.
“She was really happy because she lost her husband years ago and hasn’t been keeping up with the property at all,” Kee said.
During this process, Kee discovered that Marsh’s late husband had served in the Vietnam War. This fact, coupled by his spontaneous act of kindness, sparked an idea. Kee went home and started an online fundraiser to cement flagpoles and raise flags for families who have lost veteran relatives. The fundraiser is called Flags for Fallen Veterans.
Once Kee selects a family, he orders a specific flagpole that fits the family’s property dimensions. Both sides pick a Saturday where Kee will spend the morning cementing the flagpole in the family’s yard. While Kee does not have an organized team, he welcomes anyone who would like to join him.
“If someone wants to help because they feel good to do it, they can come with me,” Kee said.
Kee says the entire process comes out to approximately $150.
Although the fundraiser specifically targets families with late relatives, Kee wishes he could raise a flag for everyone.
“Everybody should have an American flag because everybody’s an American,” Kee said.
Kee currently has over $300 in his Facebook fundraiser page and has selected the next family he wants to help. He has chosen to cement a flag in the yard of Kimberly Marsh, Gail Marsh’s daughter.
Kee says he will raise Kimberley Marsh’s flag within the month.
