Located approximately one hour northwest of Houston lies the rural community of Anderson, Texas, the county seat for Grimes County and home to American Legion McCluskey Post 640. Grimes County is far removed from the big-city life, however it is not small when it comes to the contributions of those veterans who rest within her cemeteries. Reading like an American history book, Grimes County veterans have served in every conflict and on nearly every battlefield, from the Revolutionary War to Afghanistan. Their service is storied and heroic and significantly contributed to the defense of freedom - many making the ultimate sacrifice.

To honor their service and sacrifice, McCluskey Post 640 conducted a “Flag In” program during the Memorial Day weekend. The program began with a memorial ceremony held at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Anderson, where the posts’ namesakes’ memorial markers are located. Post 640 honors two brothers from Anderson: Lt. John Brown McCluskey (U.S. Army) and his younger brother Pvt. Wilbur Taylor McCluskey (U.S. Army). John was captured on Corregidor and held in the Cabanatuan Prison for more than two years. While being transported, the Japanese prison ship he was traveling on was sunk in the South China Sea on Oct. 24, 1944. His body was never recovered. Wilbur died in service on May 6, 1942, and was awarded a posthumous citation and Bronze Star for bravery in action near Salerno Bay. He is buried in the U.S. Military Cemetery, Nettuno, Anzio, Italy.

Following a brief memorial service, members and guests from Post 640 placed 100 flags on all veteran gravesites at Odd Fellows Cemetery. Throughout the weekend, post members and guests continued to distribute more than 500 flags among 13 cemeteries located throughout Grimes County.

Neither brother made it back home to their mother and father and the small town of Anderson, but their legacy is being kept alive by the actions and involvement of the McCluskey post Legionnaires.