BOURNE, Mass. (AP) — Relatives and well-wishers are honoring the country’s military veterans by planting the United States flags at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

Cemetery policies never permitted flags and flag holders on graves at any time. That changed last fall when the first flags were planted and removed under pressure from Paul Monti of Raynham, whose son was killed by Afghanistan’s Taliban fighters while trying to save a fellow soldier in 2006. Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor.

Massachusetts residents on Saturday planted flags at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, where Monti is buried.

His father has previously said that planting the flags at the graves is a very personal tribute to his son and fellow soldiers killed in service of their country.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.