Time increases feelings of patriotism for many…
Yesterday was a day of sunshine, fireworks and flags. Local American Legion Post Commander Mike Bones says he didn’t always get the feeling he now has on the Fourth of July.
Mike Bones – “The older I get… I don’t know what it is, I see those flags or I hear taps or I hear something patriotic and I get a little misty in the eyes. I don’t know if it comes with age or what, but it’s quite, it’s quite amazing.”
When he got out of the Army nearly 40-years ago Bones was a mid-20 something who had other things on his mind.
But, like so many other veterans, the former Oregon State Parks Ranger has had a change of attitude over the years. He found he enjoyed the company of others who had served in the armed forces and gradually became more and more involved. He eventually joined the American Legion where he worked his way through the leadership positions and is currently the Post Commander.
Local American Legion Post Commander Mike Bones commented on the flags that line Florence streets just about every holiday. He said veterans originally started that project many, many years ago.
Mike Bones – “Started out it was American Legion and then we had the Boy Scouts do it, and then we had the Kiwanis do it and now they’ve taken it over; which is a good thing.”
Yes, a good thing. That’s because it was becoming difficult to line up volunteers, keep the flags in good condition and maintain funding. The Florence Kiwanis Foundation took over the program, expanded sponsorship and began buying new flags several years ago. Now there are about 450 flags, put out by several different crews of Kiwanis volunteers on more than a dozen special days each year.
Congressional Candidate Calls on Community
Fourth District Congressional candidate Art Robinson will be making two appearances in Florence over the next few weeks. He’ll be the featured speaker tomorrow at the noon meeting of the Florence City Club at Ocean Dunes Golf Links. That’s open to the public. The scientist and educator is in his second run as the Republican candidate for the seat currently held by Democrat Peter DeFazio. Robinson will also hold a public Town Hall meeting at the Florence Events Center on July 14th.
Siuslaw Athletic Hall of Fame
Eight individuals and one state championship team will be honored this time next month in the second annual installation into the Siuslaw Athletic Hall of Fame.
Tickets for the August 4th ceremony at the Florence Events Center are ten dollars and are available at several locations, including the Wind Drift Gallery, All About Olives and Coastal Fitness.
This year’s class of inductees include the 1966 State Championship Cross Country Team of Bob Hylton, Larry Ulrich, Tim Savage, Mark Savage, Greg Wells, Kim Larson and Everett May.
Individual inductees include former administrator Glenn Butler, Stephani Osburn, Bob Hylton, Tammy Courtney, Teri Gortler, Larry Ulrich, Jef McClellan, and Delbert Reavis.
The ceremony will be followed by the annual Athletic Booster Club Dinner and Auction… tickets for that event are separate and can be purchased at the same locations.