The local Woodmen of the World Family Fraternity held a flag pole rededication ceremony and presented a “Flag of Honor” Thursday evening at the Main Station of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department on King Ridge Road.
Regina Wilhite, Field Representative for Woodmen of the World and local chapter President Wanda Poss made the presentation in honor and remembrance of the heroes and victims in the fight against terrorism and to celebrate the enduring spirit of all Americans.
Members of Boy Scout Troop 347 participated in the program by leading the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance and then helping retire the old flag and raising a new one to half-staff in remembrance of the 9/11 victims fourteen years ago.
A framed commemorative American flag was presented to the fire department. This “Flag of Honor” was created from the names of the 9/11 victims and the World Trade Center bombing on February 26, 1993.
Meanwhile, Suzanne Williams, Executive Director of the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce and County Mayor Tim Stribling presented the Fire Department the “Extra Miler” Award for going the extra mile in making a difference. The department has more than 70 volunteers and ranks number three in the state for training hours and number of volunteers.
Since 2002 Woodmen of the World has been dedicating flagpoles across the country and presenting flags not only to honor the heroes and victims but to remember the men and women of our armed forces serving in combat and in addition to these ceremonies pay tribute to our men and women right here in this community who serve and protect us every day.
Woodmen of the World members celebrate patriotism in many ways, including the presentation of United States flags and flagpole dedications.
Woodmen of the World is one of the largest distributors of U.S. flags. More than 2 million American flags have been presented to worthy non-profit and community organizations. Woodmen of the World celebrates and honors the American flag throughout the year.
Out of the ashes of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks of 2001, Woodmen of the World members rise each year to organize In Honor and Remembrance ceremonies which honor the heroes and victims of those attacks, as well as local community heroes and volunteers.
(TOP PHOTO: Assistant County Fire Chief David Agee with Wanda Poss and Regina Wilhite displaying “Flag of Honor”
(MIDDLE PHOTO: “EXTRA MILER AWARD” presented to DeKalb Fire Department: Shown from left are Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, DeKalb County Mayor Tim Stribling, Assistant Fire Chief David Agee, Matthew Boss, Seth Braseel, Caleb Haggard, Matt Adcock, Steve Rapasy, David Fleming, Harley Lawrence, Brayde Baker, Kristie Johnson, Steven Lawrence, Chris Mulford, Shawn Chausse, and Ryan Herron)
(BOTTOM PHOTO: Boy Scout Troop 347 members participating in flag raising were Jacob Williams, Cody Robinson and Jake Ramsey)
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