A tradition that has been practiced since the 1930s took place at the Brainerd Mission Cemetery near Eastgate Mall on Wednesday.
Nancy Henderson of the DAR said, "A patch of green in the center of a vast asphalt parking lot is the resting place of some of Chattanooga's first settlers. Once a thriving community of Indians and missionaries, all that is left is the cemetery. In 1933, the cemetery was deeded to the five DAR chapters (Chickamauga, Chief John Ross, Nancy Ward, Judge David Campbell and Moccasin Bend) and the SAR chapter, John Sevier.
The chapters are responsible for the preservation of the cemetery, which is a historical site for both Chattanooga and the state of Tennessee. It is a part of both the European settlers' history as well as the Indians who were taught there. The Indians were educated and taught about Christianity.
"As the Trial of Tears began, missionaries made the choice to go with their students on the long trek to Oklahoma. The village fell into disrepair and the property became more of an agricultural area. Eventually, all that was left was the cemetery.
"The flag-raising ceremony is a way to remember those who lived and died there and to remind us of how our history affects us even now."