In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened on that day in 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.
This year the Clallam County Veterans Association is sponsoring the Flag Day ceremony. It will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, at 413 S. Francis St., Port Angeles.
The Sequim American Legion Post performs the ceremony. All are invited to attend and bring unserviceable flags for proper disposal.
Help honor your fellow veterans
VFW Chaplain Dale Butler is asking for volunteers who are veterans to participate in presenting Final Honors during the funeral of a veteran. You only need a blue jacket — he can loan you caps. There is no requirement to attend.
He notifies you and if you are able, then you go. If not, he goes to the next person on the list. The services are in the Sequim area.
This is a great opportunity to show the families of the veterans our appreciation for their loved one’s service. It also is personally gratifying to participate in the Honors.
Contact Dale at barneybut@gmail.com or call 565-5019 if you have questions or would like to volunteer.
Stock up for stockings
Operation Holiday Stockings already is gathering stockings and their contents in preparation for sending them to deployed troops for the holidays.
If you would like to nominate any troops who will be deployed over the holidays to receive stockings, e-mail Sue at ramsddj@aol.com.
If you have items or money to donate, take them to A Dropped Stitch at 170 W. Bell St. in Sequim.
You can get patterns for the stockings at the website, www.operationholidaystockings.com.
Let’s help with this project so our deployed troops know they are in our hearts over the holidays.
Christmas gift shop
The American Legion Auxiliary also has started working on the Christmas Gift Shop for the residents of the Washington State Veterans Home in Port Orchard.
This is a huge effort to get gifts, cards, wrapping paper and money for postage all collected by Thanksgiving in order to have a successful event.
Contact me if you have questions or donations at cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com.
Handmade quilts, afghans, hats, scarves, mittens, etc. are always welcome.
Maybe you can use some of these long summer days to craft some items for the Christmas Gift Shop!
Save the dates
Some dates to put on your summer calendar:
• July 28 is the Voices For Veterans Stand Down in Port Townsend
• Aug. 9 is a Veterans Appreciation Day at The Home Depot in Sequim from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Aug. 23 is the Third Annual American Legion Turkey Shoot starting at 10 a.m.
I will provide more details in upcoming columns. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July! Enjoy the celebration of our country’s founding in 1776.
Contributors: DAR, Joyce Stroeher,n7jpw@juno.com; American Legion and MOAA, Lorri Gilchrist, cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com; VFW Commander Tristan Ryan, celtic_princess_17@rocketmail.com; Marine Corps League, John Spriggs, nightdog6@gmail.com; Korean War Veterans, Jerry Rettela, eletteor@msn.com; Fleet Reserve Association, Marty Arnold, martinarnold2001@yahoo.com; Operation Holiday Stockings, Sue Rambin, ramsddj@aol.com.
