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Brentwood High School senior Ainsley Kraeuter has chosen to champion a meaningful cause that shines a light on and supports local disabled veterans.

Ainsley is leading the “Field of Flags” project for Brentwood Borough, with strong support from her family, friends, local businesses, the Colonel Samuel D. Foster Chapter 76 of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the Brentwood Borough Council and the Brentwood Borough School District.

Through Ainsley’s fundraising efforts ($4,440 and counting), she has received 480 American flags that she, fellow Brentwood HS students and members of the DAV organization planted on November 1 and 6 in front of Brentwood Middle School-High School. The flags will remain in place through Veterans Day and until November 15.

Ainsley’s dad, Doug, served with the U.S. Navy, and her grandfathers, Wayne Kraeuter and Marty Ritter, served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army, respectively.

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization created the Field of Flags program to empower communities to honor veterans while raising funds for the DAV’s mission of assisting ill and injured veterans. Participants—whether individuals, schools, or businesses—raise a minimum of $250 to receive a starter kit containing 24 American flags. Each flag serves as a powerful symbol of a veteran’s sacrifice, and the funds collected go directly toward supporting veterans through benefits assistance, healthcare access, and employment programs. The display serves as a beautiful and visible tribute to the veterans of our community.

How the Field of Flags program works:

• Fundraising: Participants register and raise a minimum of $250 to receive a Field of Flags kit.
• Honoring Veterans: Each flag displayed honors a local veteran, their service, or their family member.
• Supporting DAV: All funds raised benefit DAV programs dedicated to helping disabled veterans live with dignity and independence.

Ainsley conducted her fundraising efforts through the DAV donations site that received generous contributions from friends, family and local businesses. Her dedication was recognized by the Colonel Samuel D. Foster Chapter 76 of the DAV, which presented her with a donation check at Brentwood HS. She also received support from the Brentwood Borough Council Give Back Fund and the Brentwood Borough SD, both of which have played important roles in helping her coordinate the event.

Brentwood has always been known as a compassionate and community-minded borough, and Ainsley’s project is yet another example of how its residents come together to make a difference. Her efforts serve as an inspiring reminder of the power of young people to lead with purpose and gratitude.

For more information about the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), please contact local DAV leader Amber Borders at: davforeign.vbapit@va.gov.

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