Just before our National Convention, we learned of a local school whose flagpole had been vandalized. For months the pole stood barren as there was no way to raise and display our National Emblem. In came The American Legion with veterans from the Department and Districts 11 and 12. We quickly devised a plan to repair the pole and donate a new flag for the students and leaders to admire. There was simply no local budget funds to solve the problem, but for The Legion, there is always a way.
Working closely with the local Phoenix Fire Department Station 22, a ladder-truck was coordinated to lift a fireman up to replace the halyard. A flag that was rescued from the embassy in Kabul as we evacuated Afghanistan was attached and hoisted with the Arizona state flag. The local JROTC unit from Carl Hayden High School provided the color guard, with assistance from Post 29. The school’s band played the national anthem as the flag was raised and the nearly 500 participants present, in person and on the school’s closed circuit TV station. Department Commander Vaughan spoke of the flag’s history and its return from Afghanistan along with words of praise on how various organizations had come together to serve the community and the students, our leaders for tomorrow.
This is what we do. Veterans strengthening America.
Please send in your stories to pr@azlegion.org and make sure they are sent to the local media and Legiontown USA.
