A new Experience for me

I don't know when it happened, but the current commander of the post was contacted to perform a flag changing ceremony at one of our senior centers. The lady that called was a widow of WWII Vet. The flag at the center where he was in his last days, was deteriorating and she wanted it replaced, but with the respect it deserved. She had purchased a new flag, and requested the Post replace it for the old one. I think that is how it went, I'm not sure.

The Commander requested the Vice Commander and Jr. Vice to assist in this process. John is the Jr. Vice, so I get to go along. I did ask if they wanted me there, to take pictures, and was told yes, very much so. So Saturday morning, we went over to the senior center and they figured out how it was all going to happen. At first, they said they would just reach up and change out the pole. I suggested they do a rehearsal run, just in case. I had to say one more time, you don't want to be looking for a ladder at the last minute if you need one.

Its a good thing they listened, because John, the tallest of them all, couldn't reach the flag. They brought the ladder over and had it set up and ready to go.

The lady that requested the service showed up and gave the flag to the commander. She also had an 8x10 sepia colored photo of her husband. I was taking pictures, and got a bunch of really good ones. Her daughter was also there taking pictures of the event. Then, the helpers at the center brought out some of the retired military hero's they have staying with them. I have to tell you, I cried off and on the entire time we were there.

 

 

 

 

 

The gentlemen sat in their wheelchairs, off to the side but still right there. Two of the men, were so close. It was so heartwarming to witness how much they needed each other. One of the men was blind I think, or near blind. When they wheeled him outside onto the patio, his friend called his name to let him know he was there. The nurse wheeled him over next to his friend, and the friend put his hand on the others wheelchair, touched his hand and let him feel safer. The blind man, kept his hand on his friends wheelchair the entire time they were outside. It was heartwarming and created the vision of how much soldiers and military personnel depend on each other in times of need.

At one point, John told the younger of the soldiers, who by the way was in Korea for two years serving as a Marine, of a story he read in the Military news Online. It was a story of a young man in New York that burned a flag at one of the post's. He  had been refused service because he couldn't prove status. He was asked to leave the post, but later returned and burned th flag, which had been flown in Iraq. When this gentleman heard this, he cried for the disrespect shown to the flag, the soldiers, the ones who gave their lives. I had to turn my head and cry too.

Finally, the time came to lower the older flag, and replace it with the new one. There was a little fumbling, but after a short while, the new flag was up. The tattered flag was respectfully folded, and placed aside to be retired properly at a later date. i will write about that also, when it happens. After the new flag was up, without even having to be told, the three post members stood at attention for a silent minute. The wife of the commander, a ladies Auxiliary member, stood with her hand over her heart.

 

This was the first time I have ever witnessed the changing of a flag. It was a very emotional morning. The whole event may have taken 1 1/2 hours, and that was just because we waited for different things to happen. I took a lot of pictures, and was privileged to meet some of our unsung hero's. I exchanged names with the daughter of the wife that donated the new flag. She will snag some of the pictures I put on facebook, and send them to her brother in Ohio. I will remember this for a very long time as a very special day. If you ever have the opportunity to be a part of something like this, please do it.

This was kinda long, but I felt I just had to do this one justice. I really could have gone on, but you have to cut it of somewhere. Hope you all have a great week.