New American Flag Raised at La Junta Chamber of Commerce

Description: Jay Scott with American Legion Post #9 in La Junta begins to place a new American flag to be raised at the La Junta Chamber of Commerce Friday morning. (Photo Credit: Christian Burney)

American Legion Accepting Damaged Flags and Offering Replacement Service

By: Adrian Hart and Christian Burney

Audio Interview With Jay Scott with American Legion Post #9 in La Junta.

SCOTT: Okay, it was about a week and a half, two weeks ago. Not sure exact date but it was one of those days that the wind was really stiff, and my significant other, had an appointment at Rocky Mountain Eye Center.

SECO News: So that's Lynda Scott our county clerk.

SCOTT: Yes, our county clerk she had an eye appointment and she walked down there from the courthouse instead of driving and when she came out of her eye appointment she noticed a lump, kind of half on the sidewalk half in the street went over to look and it was the flag from the pole that's in front of the Chamber of Commerce, and it had been ripped out. The wind had ripped it and had torn the grommets loose that were hooked to the lanyard and blown it in the street.

Well, she picked it up and brought it to me, and I am involved with the American Legion Post #9 here in La Junta, and as part of our returning to the community I guess you call it as part of our community service we provide flags for people who are patriotic enough to put flags up and if the wind gets a hold of them and tears them up; we take their damaged flags.

We will dispose of them according to US flag code and which we're going to have one of those on June 14, but that's neither here nor there at this point.

Okay, but I have a new flag now for the Chamber of Commerce and they went under construction for renovation or whatever and I haven't been able to make contact with them yet, until just a day or so. And that's kind of where we're at.

So we'll go over tomorrow during their little hullabaloo or open house and present the flag to them. We will replace it and we already have their damaged one so it will be flag day June 14. We are having a ceremony this is going to involve the American Legion, hopefully some boy scouts and we're asking other organizations that will do it properly according to flag code, and those flags will be destroyed the way they're supposed to be.

SECO News: So the public is welcome to bring their flags; who do they get ahold of to do that?

SCOTT: The old Honda shop, the motorcycle shop.

SECO News: So we're talking Outcast cycles go see Billy.

SCOTT: Our post home is there. Billy has been very gracious in giving us a portion of his building to hold our meetings in.

SECO News: So he's there catty corner from the sheriff's station.

SCOTT: Exactly.

SECO News: Over off of 2nd Street.

SCOTT: 110 Cimarron I think or something like that.

SECO News: I will put a map on the article.

SCOTT: You bet you put a map on the article. Just turn off the highway and head up Cimarron and look towards the east.

SECO News: They've got some nice signage.

SCOTT: He's got some signage the American Legion signage in his windows. That's the place you can take your flags there, and we can take care of him that way.

SECO News: All right, Very good. So again the ceremony on June 14.

SCOTT: I don't have a time on that and we'll get that out a little closer to it and everything.

SECO News: You bet. Yeah, and I will be seeing you tomorrow morning at the Chamber of Commerce.

SCOTT: Absolutely.

SECO News: Thank you for your service to the community Jay.

SCOTT: Thank you, thank you very much.

Ron Tomlin and Jay Scott raise the new flag...(Photo Credit: Christian Burney)

The new flag reaches the top of the pole at the La Junta Chamber of Commerce Offices on Santa Fe Ave. in La Junta for the first time. (Photo Credit: Christian Burney)

Anyone with a damaged or tattered flag can drop it off at the La Junta Chamber of Commerce and leave their contact info so the American Legion can help keep the flag flying high.

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