SAR salutes those who display flags for veterans

Loretta George/Tribune photo Historian Bill Fischer and Superintendent Betty Boyko, representing the Fort Scott National Historic Site, left, receive a certificate of appreciation from Jim Gilpin, a representative of the Sons of the American Revolution, right, on Thursday at the weekly Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce coffee held at the Veteran's of Foreign Wars building. Second from right is Anne Emerson who organized the Symbols of Sacrifice commemoration held in September at the FSNHS for the last two years.

The U.S. flag is a recognized symbol of American patriotism and the Fort Scott Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) sought to recognize two local groups for their efforts to display the flag to honor veterans.

The recognitions were made during the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee held Thursday at the VFW Post 1165 building on south National Avenue by representatives of the SAR. Local SAR President Jim Gilpin of Iola made the presentations with assistance from Ken Lyon of Fort Scott who is the flag recognition chairman for the local chapter.

The VFW Post 1165 and Fort Scott National Historic Site were given certificates of appreciation for presenting and encouraging respect for the flag in honoring veterans.

Loretta George/Tribune photo VFW Post 1165 Commander Steve Dean, left, accepts a certificate of appreciation from Ken Lyon, Fort Scott Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

The local VFW members were commended for years of patriotic service by placing 358 U.S. flags to honor veterans on the avenues at Fort Scott National Cemetery each Memorial Day, Flag Day, Veteran's Day and for the Wreaths Across America project. In addition, members regularly appear to present the flags, also known as presenting the colors, at local events.

Steve Dean, commander at VFW Post 1165, accepted the framed certificate on behalf of the post. Dean said the post also gives awards and scholarships in the community.

Fort Scott National Historic Site was recognized for the Symbols of Sacrifice (SOS) commemoration that has been organized by local citizens and facilitated by the fort for the last two Septembers. The purpose of the event is to honor those veterans lost in the War on Terrorism since Sept. 11, 2001.

FSNHS Superintendent Betty Boyko accepted the certificate on behalf of the site and its support organization, Friends of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

Symbols of Sacrifice was the brainstorm of local citizen, Anne Emerson. FSNHS Historian, Bill Fischer, was the organizer for the SOS event at the fort site.

Emerson in a previous Tribune story said each flag represents one life lost in America's most recent war and 7,000 flags were placed around FSNHS during the days of commemoration Sept. 11-18.

Sons of the American Revolution is a male lineage society whose members trace their heritage to the War for Independence. As an historical, educational, patriotic non-profit organization SAR promotes patriotism, respect for national symbols and the value of American citizenship, according to a press release.