Message:
Ida dedicates flag; raises it to top of silo - 06/14/2003
Cliff Trudeau of Ida, a member of Monroe County Chapter 142, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Ida Farmer's Co-op employee Jeff Winter hoist the large flag that was dedicated in downtown Ida Saturday to honor Flag Day. Hanging atop the silos, it may be the highest-flying flag in the county. The flag is possibly the highest-flying one in the county.
Evening News staff writer
By MICHELLE SWARTZ
After the tragedy of Sept. 11, Cindy Bolley of Ida wanted to express Ida's strong patriotism by flying the stars and stripes as high as possible. On Saturday, which marked Flag Day, she got her wish. During a ceremony at Ida Farmers Co-op parking lot in Ida, the American flag was raised 125-feet in the air from one of the Co-op's silo. "We were told that this is possibly the highest flag flown in Monroe County," said Cindy Zorn during the approximate 20-minute flag dedication ceremony. "A spot light will be on it at night so it will always be seen in Ida." Ms. Bolley and Ms. Zorn are both members of the Ida Civic Club, which raised funds to purchase the flag, flagpole and other expenses toward the project. "Total cost was $2,500, which was a lot more than we thought. But the community has been great with helping with the costs; they are very supportive," said Ms. Bolley. The honored guest to raise the flag was Clif Trudeau of Ida, who served in Vietnam War from 1967 to 1968 and a total of two years in the service. "I was honored to do it," he said after coming down from the top of the silo. "It was nice to be up there." Once the flag was in its permanent place atop the silo, the audience sang the National Anthem while the flag waved in the brisk wind. A large round of applause followed the song. Special guest speaker was Dale Zorn, Monroe County Commissioner District 2, who expressed his pride of the Ida community during the ceremony. "Our flag not only represents the United States of America, it represents the free world. No country or man shall take away our desire to live in freedom and in prosperity…." he said to the nearly 70 people in attendance. "…You will witness the raising of the American flag to yet another height. It will fly high above the Village of Ida as your symbol for freedom." Numerous community members participated in the ceremony, which included posting of the colors by the Lynn C. Weeman Post 514, American Legion; Monroe County Chapter 142, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Ida Boys Scouts and Cub Scouts. A few members of the Monroe County Vietnam Veterans described the symbolism of each fold in the flag. They described all 12 folds of the flag, such as the first fold meaning life and the fourth fold symbolizing turning to our government leaders for guidance. The Rev. Robert Schefter, of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, gave the invocation, while the Rev. John LaCasse, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church, blessed the flag. "I will bless it three times … once for our God, a second for the Holy Spirit and a third for Christ," the Rev. LaCasse said as he blessed the folded American flag. Ms. Zorn, chairwoman of the event, believed it was important to have as many local residents participating in the event as possible. "This is a community event and this is for our community so it's important for them to take part in it today," she said prior to the ceremony. "The civic club is a service club and we focus on serving the community. We feel that this is a project that gives back to the community." The crowd appreciated the patriotic donation that the Ida Civic Club contributed to the community. "I thought this was very nicely done; the civic club did a wonderful job in pulling this off," said Betty Nickel of Ida, who attended the dedication with her mother, Imogene Dougherty. "I'm not surprised with the good turnout; Ida always comes together when there are events like this one."