Members of the Georgetown American Legion joined with Maureen Cannon of St. Mary’s Church in a flag-raising ceremony that the Legion performed to replace the huge flag flying on the church’s north lawn, adjacent to Rte. 133 (Andover Street) last Saturday.
“We’re glad to help religious organization and others in our area display the American Flag with pride,” said Alan Aulson who conceived of the Flags for the Faithful program. “It’s our way of giving back and thanking those who display the flag and help them do so with pride.
The new American flag was raised by Sam Demeo who has performed a lot of events in Georgetown over the years. He took great care in slowing raising the flag while members present saluted. He noted: “we try to follow procedure when we do this, there’s a protocol for handling the flag and I hope we always do it right.”
Scott Aulson shared that it was a nice crisp looking flag now. Scott has picked up the flag and said, “I felt good being a part of this and I would do it any time.”
“American Legion is glad to be part of making sure worn flags are replaced,” Rene J. Gagnon American Legion Post #211 Commander Doug Dawes said. “It’s easy to forget to do the little things. Driving around town, I notice that some people put up flags and leave them up until there’s practically no color left in them. I think we, as the American Legion, need to help folks either providing new flags or whatever we can do, to replace worn flags.”
“The American Legion is growing, and we’re always looking for new members, and younger members too,” Doug added, “because we need to pass the torch for veterans within Georgetown.”
The worn flag was provided to David Crosby who works with the Boy Scout Troop 50. He’ll take the flag to show the scouts the proper way to retire/dispose of the flag at one of their twice-yearly ceremonies. He reminded residents that there is a collection box at the Georgetown Fire Department as well as in Middleton. A newly installed box is also located at the Rowley Police/Fire complex. ♦
