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The American flag, Tennessee
flag, and POW/MIA flag fly in permanent display at the
southwest entrance to the city of McKenzie, thanks to a
community service project undertaken by Cub Scouts Pack 78
under the direction of cubmaster Jeff Gaia.
Saturday's temperate breezes were the
perfect complement to the mid-morning dedication of three
flags and flagpoles donated to the city of McKenzie by Cub
Scout Pack 78. The display is situated at the southwest
entrance to the city at the intersection of Main Street and
Highland Drive.
The February 5 dedication was endorsed by the presence of
dignitaries including McKenzie Mayor Walter Winchester, county
Mayor Kenny McBride, state Representative Mark Maddox, state
Senator Don McLeary, and Tom Turner representing U.S.
Congressman John Tanner.
Cubmaster Jeff Gaia speaks about the
importance of respecting the American flag. |
About 15 of the 26-member pack were in
attendance for the ceremony, their youthful energy and
exuberance in strident contrast to the veterans of World War
II, the Gulf War, Korean War, and Vietnam War, who were
present to observe and participate in raising the flags
purchased by their sacrifice: the stalwart red, white and blue
American flag, the flag of the volunteer state of Tennessee,
and the black POW/MIA flag that flies as a constant reminder
of the plight of American prisoners of war and those missing
in action.
Also present were some 13 members of the 230th Engineer
Battalion. About 130 of their fellow West Tennessee guardsmen
now trudge the sands of Iraq, there to help rebuild the
country's war-torn infrastructure. They arrived in time to
become eyewitnesses to the birth of democracy in the formerly
oppressed society.
Dignitaries present for the
ceremony are, l-r: state Representative Mark Maddox, Tom
Turner for U.S. Congressman John Tanner, Reverend Tony Janner,
state Senator Don McLeary, county Mayor Kenny McBride, and
McKenzie Mayor Walter Winchester.
Members of the 230th Engineers
National Guard Battalion salute the American flag.
Apparently awestruck at the extent of the pack's
accomplishment, Winchester said cubmaster Jeff Gaia had at
first approached him with an offer to donate to the city a
single flag and pole, but that the outpouring of support from
local businesses and organizations had been so great that, in
addition to the trio being dedicated in the morning's
ceremony, another would be placed at City Park. The mayor
later had a "thumbs up" for Gaia who mentioned sufficient
funds were raised for two flagpoles at the park.
"I kindly accepted the offer of their spiritual community
involvement," said Winchester of the boys' "dedicated,
patriotic" effort and "community spirit."
In his opening prayer, the Reverend Tony Janner, pastor of the
First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in McKenzie, prayed the
scouts might learn from the occasion "what it means to be
responsible citizens with love for their community, and see
something far greater than themselves in the gift of the
flagpoles and flags that will wave proudly for the freedoms we
so enjoy."
A moment of silence, poignantly breached by the sound of taps
played by trumpet soloist Christy Lowe, honored those whose
lives have been given in ultimate sacrifice for those
freedoms.
Turner, reading a letter from Congressman Tanner, praised the
scouts' efforts, noting they would learn something in the
exchange that will never be forgotten. "I salute you for your
community efforts," he read.
McLeary, on behalf of the Tennessee Senate, presented a
certificate of appreciation to the 230th Engineer Battalion
for their willingness to serve.
Dr. Alan Cross, associate professor of music at Bethel
College, paid tribute to the occasion by leading the audience
in two patriotic tunes: Oh, Beautiful! and the Battle Hymn of
the Republic. Several in the crowd joined in on the refrains
while others listened reverently as Cross sang not only of
America's beauty, good, and brotherhood - in the familiar
first verse of Oh, Beautiful! - but also of sacrifices from
the pilgrim's first footsteps across the wilderness to "hero's
feet in liberating strife, who more than self their country
loved, and mercy more than life."
Gaia thanked the members of the 230th, declaring the
collective hearts and prayers of the assembly were with those
of that group who are in Iraq. He also thanked the veterans,
without whom, he said, "we wouldn't be standing here today."
In addition to the permanent flag display, he told the crowd,
three street signs had been purchased for placement at
entrances to the city in honor of the 230th Engineer
Battalion.
Assisting in the raising of the
American flag are, l-r: World War II veterans Al Wainscott,
Lofton Morris, and Vernon Bobo with Cub Scout Austin Paschall.
A self-taught student of World War II history and the son of a
Vietnam veteran, Gaia said that when the pack started the
project, two names came to his mind to inspire their efforts:
Calvin Graham in 1942 joined the Navy and later fought at
Guadalcanal, earning a bronze star and purple heart; Earl
Craig was captured by the Japanese and held four years as a
prisoner of war.
"When Earl Craig was captured he was 16 years old," Gaia
intoned, "Calvin Graham in 1942 was 12 years old... I'm not
saying the cub scouts are going to join the military at a
young age but what I am trying to say is that they can make a
difference; the cub scouts are young, but they can make a
difference."
He said in December when winds were high he saw that one of
the American flags erected in honor of McKenzie guardsmen had
blown down and was lying in a puddle of muddy water. As he
picked it up and took it to city hall he wondered how many
others had driven by and saw it lying there, but did nothing.
"It's more than just a symbol of our freedom," he declared, "a
lot of people sacrificed their lives for it, they served for
that flag and what the cub scouts need to know is respect -
respect for the flag and respect for our veterans and for the
230th Engineers who are in harm's way fighting for us."
He read a poem entitled "My Name is Old Glory", written by
World War II and Korean War Marine veteran Howard Schnauber,
the words of which explore the extremes of might and emotion
elicited by the stars and stripes over America's history.
Its words reverberated as members of Pack 78 came forward to
display the street signs that will soon grace entryways into
the city, and as the three flags were unfurled and hoisted to
the tops of the flagpoles.
Cub Scouts display signs that
will be erected at the City Park and along entryways to the
city as well as on College Drive. Curtis Monuments also
donated a monument which will be placed at City Park noting
the Cub Scouts’ contribution. Holding the signs, l-r, are:
Zakkary Geyer, Matt Gaia, Timothy Braun, Jacob Anderson, and
Austin Iverson.
Scouts Jacob Owen and Kaden Cafourek
salute the American flag. |
The United States flag was raised by World War II veterans Al
Wainscott, Vernon Bobo, and Lofton Morris with cub scout
Austin Paschall. Assisting in the raising of the Tennessee
flag were World War II veteran James Choate, Korean War
veterans Porter Dunlap and Oscar Owen, and Persian Gulf
veteran Greg Wooley. The POW/MIA flag was erected by Vietnam
War veterans Robert Earl Melton, Charlie Beal, and Dan Baker
and Persian Gulf veteran Tracy Smith.
The cub scouts of Pack 78 then came forward to lead the
assembly in paying homage to the flag with the recitation of
the pledge of alliegance, followed by Bethany Ellis singing
the national anthem as red, white and blue balloons were
released into blue skies.
In a final, moving tribute, cub scouts assisted in tying
yellow ribbons to each of the white flag poles in honor of the
members of the 230th Engineer Battalion in Iraq.
My Name is
Old Glory
- by Howard Schnauber
I am the flag of the United States of
America.
My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over great institutes of learning.
I stand guard with the greatest military power in the world.
Look up! And see me!
I stand for peace - honor - truth and justice.
I stand for freedom
I am confident - I am arrogant
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners
My head is a little higher
My colors a little truer.
I bow to no one.
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped - I am saluted - I am respected
I am revered - I am loved, and I am feared.
I have fought every battle of every war for more than 200
years:
Gettysburg, Shiloh, Appomatox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of
France, the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of
Normandy, the deserts of Africa, the cane fields of the
Philippines, the rice paddies andjungles of Guam, Okinawa,
Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Guadalcanal, New Britain, Peleliu, and
many more islands. And a score of places long forgotten by all
but those who were with me.
I was there.
I led my soldiers - I followed them.
I watched over them.
They loved me.
I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima.
I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my soldiers cheered
me,
and I was proud.
I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets
of
countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt, for I am invincible.
I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets
of
my country, and when it is by those
with whom I have served in battle - it hurts.
But I shall overcome - for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stand watch over the
uncharted new frontiers of space from my vantage point on the
moon.
I have been a silent witness to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hour comes when I am torn into strips to
be used for bandages for my wounded comrades on the field of
battle,
When I fly at half mast to honor my soldiers,
And when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving
mother at the graveside of her fallen son.
I am proud.
My name is Old Glory.
Dear God - Long may I wave.
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