Tuesday was an evening of honor and recognition at the Clearwater American Legion.

 

Members of the Legion Color Guard recognized Flag Day with the traditional Legion  flag retirement ceremony.

 

Typically, flags being retired would be burned outside the Legion during the ceremony. But because of the rainy weather, Legion Commander Ron Lashinski said the flags would be retired at the ceremony and burned later.

 

After Sergeant-at-Arms Doc Gohman presented the flags and placed them in the burning pit, Lashinski recited the Legion flag retirement message.

 

“Comrades, we have presented here these Flags of our Country which have been inspected and condemned as unserviceable. They have reached their present state in a proper service of tribute, memory and love.

 

“A Flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze, or a beautiful banner of finest silk. Its intrinsic value may be trifling or great; but its real value is beyond price, for it is a precious symbol of all that we and our comrades have worked for and lived for, and died for a free Nation of free men, true to the faith of the past, devoted to the ideals and practice of Justice, Freedom and Democracy.”

 

“Let these faded Flags of our Country be retired and destroyed with respectful and honorable rites and their places be taken by bright new Flags of the same size and kind, and let no grave of our soldier or sailor dead be unhonored and unmarked.” 

 

Legion Chaplain Wally Westerberg followed with a prayer, and a salute by the color guard ended the ceremony.

 

But that wasn’t the end of Tuesday’s activity.

 

Clearwater honored two of its long-time citizens by selecting Tom and Bev Allen as the 2016 senior King and Queen.

 

The award is typically presented at the Clearwater Gathering Potluck, which did not take place this year.

 

The Allens are invited to ride in the Heritage Days parade in August.

 

After the Allens were recognized, Lashinski said it was time to honor seven volunteers who have helped the Legion be successful over the years, working on events like the Sunday breakfast, the annual fish fry, regular fundrasiers and the district convention.

 

“This has been long overdue. Our Legion would not exist without volunteers like our honorees,” said Lashinski. “The phenomenal success of the Clearwater Legion is a reflection on the everlasting dedication and enthusiasm of volunteers like Rudy and Sylvia Valley, Virginia Wiedeman,  Nadine Kolbinger, Doc Gohman, Bruce Sobotta and Tom Allen. The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism.

 

After each of the volunteers in attendance was recognized, Lashinski said he thought the Legion, Legion Auxiliary, Legion Riders and Sons of the American Legion should each nominate someone from their group for recognition next year.

 

“I hope we can make this an annual affair,” he said.

 

Then everyone was invited to enjoy burgers, brats, refreshments and a piece of cake baked by Coborn’s in recognition of the volunteers.