Welcome Mesa View residents and staff, family, visitors, and members of American Legion Post 56. Thank you for being here.

American flags and flagpoles are so common that we often take them for granted. They are as common as, well, apple pie and football. They are so common that a recent visitor to the United States complained that American flags cluttered up the scenery and observed that in her country seeing a national flag was a rarity.

We see some things so often that we assume that they are there...until we notice that they are not there. This is the story of this flagpole...and two women...and American Legion Post 56.

Mesa View had been operating for several years before Tina Godino noticed that there was no flagpole. Perhaps others had noticed, but she was the first to act on what she saw. She contacted Canadian’s Post 56 about installing a flagpole.

Post 56 agreed that this was a worthwhile project and planning began. Mesa View administrator Audra McComas suggested that instead of buying a new pole that the existing flagpole from the Edward Abraham Memorial Home be moved to the new facility. We agreed.

In September, Alfred Godino drove a North Plains Electric bucket truck to the old nursing home. Assisted by Jason Bradford and Warren Rivers, the pole was lowered. Mr. Rivers then repaired and refurbished the pole. On October 28, it was raised at its new home by Warren Rivers, John Rivers, Alfred Godino, and John McGarr.

Everyone knows what the stars and stripes symbolize, but our flag stands for much more than states and colonies:

-It symbolizes the promises of freedom and opportunity and equality under the law so lacking in so many other places.

-It symbolizes the hopes and dreams of people all over the world who will do anything to get here.

-It symbolizes the willingness to pay the price in the fight against tyranny.

Our flag is attached to a tall pole out in the open so that it can be easily seen. It serves as a reminder of our national journey—where we have come from, what we stand for, and where we are going.

Please stand as you are able and join me in saying the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the National Anthem, as we raise our national colors for the first time in this place.

In the flagpole photo: Warren Rivers, Mark Heusel, Matthew Huff, and Bradley Baker