There will be a new flag flying this Memorial Day atop the flag pole at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Oak Harbor.

In a presentation May 18, post commander of the Oak Harbor American Legion, Lenord Little, presented cemetery personnel and its board of commissioners with a new flag to fly on special occasions.

“We noticed the old flag was getting a little tattered, so we offered to provide a new one,” said Little.

The new flag measures 10-feet by 15-feet, more than twice the size of the old one.

“It’s a 60-foot pole, so we needed something significant,” said David Watson, assistant to the supervisor. “This one’s made of cotton, so we’ll fly it on special occasions like Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Veterans’ Day.”

The American Legion took the money to purchase the flag from its funds, which was appreciated by the cemetery’s commissioners.

“I think it’s an outstanding thing to do for us,” said commissioner Dur Roberson. “The American Legion has been a tremendous support to the cemetery.”

“There’s a lot of history buried here. It’s a real honor they did this for us,” said commissioner Sue Byington.

Part of Island County Cemetery District One, Maple Leaf is a junior taxing district. According to Roberson, the cemetery receives about $20,000 per year from county taxes.

“That doesn’t even pay one salary,” Roberson said.

It costs about $100,000 to run Maple Leaf, which makes up the difference by selling grave plots and monuments. In a tight economy, that can be a challenge.

“Sometimes it gets pretty thin,” acknowledged supervisor Mike Dougliss. “It isn’t something you can predict.”

Maple Leaf Cemetery dates back to 1904.

It is 10.5 acres and has roughly 7,000 grave sites, with room for at least 7,000 more.

According to Dougliss, if the current usage trends continue, there is enough space in Maple Leaf to last about 200 years.