Posted 11:01 pm Wednesday, October 31, 2012
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Flag flown at Pearl Harbor to be presented in tribute
A historically significant flag will be presented to the Rusk Civic Center this weekend in a special tribute to veterans and military members.
The flag recently was ceremoniously flown and folded on battleship memorials at the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii, Warrant Officer Randy Vanderstay said. The Color Guard and flag presentation is scheduled to begin at 6:50 p.m. Friday at the civic center, 555 Euclid St.
Vanderstay, an Air Force veteran who serves on the regional staff of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, will help present the flag, which is framed with a letter of authenticity from the commander of naval forces, Hawaii.
According to a news release, the flag commemorates naval officers, sailors and Marines who died on Dec. 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor.
The release states that 1,664 people lost their lives that day on the USS Arizona, USS Utah and USS Oklahoma.
It’s “in honor of veterans and active duty (military as well as Guard and Reserves) …” Vanderstay said. “I didn’t fight in World War II, but am a longtime veteran, and to me, the flag represents the military and vice versa.”
The flag recently was ceremoniously flown and folded on battleship memorials at the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii, Warrant Officer Randy Vanderstay said. The Color Guard and flag presentation is scheduled to begin at 6:50 p.m. Friday at the civic center, 555 Euclid St.
Vanderstay, an Air Force veteran who serves on the regional staff of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, will help present the flag, which is framed with a letter of authenticity from the commander of naval forces, Hawaii.
According to a news release, the flag commemorates naval officers, sailors and Marines who died on Dec. 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor.
The release states that 1,664 people lost their lives that day on the USS Arizona, USS Utah and USS Oklahoma.
It’s “in honor of veterans and active duty (military as well as Guard and Reserves) …” Vanderstay said. “I didn’t fight in World War II, but am a longtime veteran, and to me, the flag represents the military and vice versa.”
Vanderstay, 79, said he plans to be in uniform and hopes to have the Rusk mayor and city manager on-hand for the occasion.
After the presentation, Friends of the Singletary Memorial Library will host its monthly Friday night dance fundraiser.
Library director Amy Derrington said 100 to 120 people usually attend the dance, which features classic country music from Caddo Creek Band.
“It started out being a senior citizen dance, but we have a bigger group that comes now. We have any ages because it’s a good smoke-free, alcohol-free environment,” she said, adding that it draws people from various surrounding towns.
Ms. Derrington said Friends of the Singletary Memorial Library did a Veterans Day dance last year as well, but decided instead of two dances to do one this year.
The dance is open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the dance starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 a person. Veterans get in for $2.
After the presentation, Friends of the Singletary Memorial Library will host its monthly Friday night dance fundraiser.
Library director Amy Derrington said 100 to 120 people usually attend the dance, which features classic country music from Caddo Creek Band.
“It started out being a senior citizen dance, but we have a bigger group that comes now. We have any ages because it’s a good smoke-free, alcohol-free environment,” she said, adding that it draws people from various surrounding towns.
Ms. Derrington said Friends of the Singletary Memorial Library did a Veterans Day dance last year as well, but decided instead of two dances to do one this year.
The dance is open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the dance starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 a person. Veterans get in for $2.
