(Photos by Kris Todd) Old, weathered flags were properly disposed of during a ceremony held at Oneota Park. Boy Scout Ryan Determan assisted in Wednesday's disposal ceremony. [Order this photo]

The annual American Legion and Auxiliary picnic was held Wednesday evening at Oneota Park in Spencer. American Legion members of the Glen Pedersen Post No. 1 and Auxiliary members of Glen Pedersen Unit No. 1 paid tribute to their fallen compatriots during an ensuing ceremony.

Legionnaires held a Post Everlasting ceremony to take the names of their deceased comrades from the roster of the living over the last year and transfer them into the post of the everlasting. Among those listed in the rite of passage ceremony were Jack Rorah, Wayne Workman, Leland Hagerty, Stewart Mackie, George Lanz, Randall Guerttman, Marlin Boyer, Oliver Offutt, Don McQueen, Wilbur Hebbel, Lonny McKewon, Ed Jensen and Bill Chambers.

Following the Post Everlasting ceremony, a rifle salute was performed by post members, old, weathered flags were retired by Boy Scouts from Troop 123, and Taps was played by Legion member John "Jack" Ryan.

Post Adjutant Gale Igou, right, looks on as Chaplain Bud Watts offers the names of 13 departed comrades from the roll of the living and places them into the Post Everlasting. [Order this photo]

Inside, women were happy to report that a memorial service to pay tribute to former Auxiliary members would not be held this year because no members had been lost.

A handful of state and district Legion and Auxiliary members attended Wednesday night's picnic and service. Iowa Auxiliary President Norma Hawkins of Lawler, Iowa American Legion Commander Bob Mahan of Sioux City and 9th District Commander Bernard Wissink of Sheldon all addressed the group gathered during the evening's business meeting.

While Wissink stressed membership, Hawkins and Mahan noted all those who are members of "the American Legion family."

"We have so many things to be proud of and grateful for. Rights are not given to us and freedom is not free," Iowa American Legion Commander Bob Mahan of Sioux City told those gathered Wednesday. [Order this photo]

"We look up to you in Spencer," Mahan said. "(Post No. 1) has always been one of the leaders in the district and in the state. You people are doing a good job."

In reference to approaching Memorial Day activities, he added, "A hero is a beloved one who fought for this country, sacrificed a life, or maybe came home with a limb missing or a brain damaged. These are heroes. Please respect your heroes."

Bob Faulkender, a past post commander, also reported during Wednesday's meeting that several Legionnaires visited with students in Spencer fifth grade classrooms recently in order to "keep patriotism going and to keep respect for the flag going." Of the 135 essays received, four students read their winning submissions.

Local Legionnaires gave a rifle salute as part of a Post Everlasting service held Wednesday evening. [Order this photo]

Jordan Hansen, a Johnson Elementary fifth grader, told those gathered that she believed the flag and all it represents "help our country to stick together."

"For me, the flag stands for freedom," Hansen read from her first-place essay. "We live in a country with equal rights that entitle you to just be yourself. It stands for independence, which we need to remember because it's something that the people of our past worked very hard for. It represents the connection of our state, and that we are one united country that has members who will be there to support each other. It shows that we have the strength to defend our country, our rights, and to protect our people. The flag keeps that hope in the back of your mind that it will be OK, and our country will get through it together. It represents the soldiers who are risking their lives for our country. It stands for symbolizing your country as a good person by helping others and always doing your best. But most of all, the flag stands for you. Your life, your family, your world."

The American Legion also awarded Karis Rhode of Lincoln Elementary School, Cole Lytle of Sacred Heart and Ryan Crew of Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School for their winning essays.

(Photo by Kris Todd) Past Commander Bob Faulkender congratulated Jordan Hansen, a Johnson Elementary fifth grade student, and presented her with a check for $100 for her winning essay describing what the American flag means to her. [Order this photo]