by Sara Hacking,
Staff Writer
Old Glory celebrates its 230th birthday today (Thursday). And Wadena is getting in on the celebration.
Flag Day commemorates the day, June 14, 1777, when the Second Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act.
It's important to honor the flag, said Wadena VFW Commander Jim White.
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"It's the flag of our country, it's our national emblem," he said. "And we should show respect for it."
The Wadena VFW Color Guard has carried the colors at parades for years, but White said he has made an effort to have the colors presented at more events.
Last fall, the color guard presented the colors at the Wadena-Deer Creek High School homecoming football game for the first time in around 20 years, he said. The VFW has also taken the flag to Relay for Life, the Colgate Country Showdown, the Fireman's Rodeo and the Honor Ride. And, for the first time ever, the color guard presented the colors at the Minnesota State Community and Technical College--Wadena commencement ceremony this spring at the school's request, White said. The colors have always been displayed at the ceremony but were never presented by the color guard.
"It's a nice touch anytime we can present the colors," White said. "Especially with the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan and all the troops who have been serving from Minnesota."
VFW member Bob Gorghuber has led the color guard for at least 40 years, he said. He served in the Navy during World War II and spent a long career at the Wadena Armory.
It's the VFW color guard's responsibility to present the colors at the funerals of veterans, he said. Veterans need to do this for other veterans.
"I want someone to do my honors when I go," he said.
Although Gorghuber will not be able to attend, the VFW Color Guard will take park in the Wadena Elks Lodge annual Flag Day ceremony along with the Wadena Boy Scouts at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Elks Lodge picnic shelter on north U.S. Highway 71. Lunch will be served following the ceremony. Music and door prizes will also be a part of the celebration lasting from noon until 4 p.m.
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