Veterans, Woodmen remember 9/11

Published 4:20 pm Saturday, September 8, 2012

Some saluted. Others held their hands over their hearts. Many seemed to have a tear in their eye as they watched two Marines raise the flag Friday outside the Dalton office of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service.

“Our nation’s flag atop the pole serves as a symbol of the enduring spirit of all Americans,” said Mike Gibson, treasurer of Woodmen of the World Lodge 24 in Dalton.

Woodmen of the World is a fraternal organization that operates a member-owned insurance company, and since 2002 it has donated flags and flagpoles to civic groups and governments across the country to honor the victims and heroes of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States as well as the men and women in America’s armed forces.

Gibson said the Woodmen have donated nearly 5,000 flagpoles so far.

“Hundreds more will be dedicated this year. We can think of no more special way to honor these brave men and women than by the sight of the American flag flying proudly,” Gibson said.

The flagpoles are dedicated on or near the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Dozens of veterans, Woodmen members, elected officials and others stood outside the Veterans Service office at 305 Point North Place Friday for the dedication ceremony.

“The flag represents our country, and the people going to that office served in the military. They are here now to get help from their government, and it’s appropriate to have a flag here to remind them that we are one big family. They have served, and now we are here to serve them,” said Dewey Moss, commander of Dalton’s American  Legion Post 112.

Post 112 provided the honor guard for the ceremony.

Georgia Veterans Field Service Officer Kelly S. Johnson said that each American has an image that stands out in his mind when thinking of the flag.

“Being a United States Marine, the flag raising at Iwo Jima stands out in my mind,” he said.

Senior Veterans Field Service Officer Judy Johnson said that veterans coming into the office over the past few days have been eagerly watching the flagpole go up.

“They are excited. They really are,” she said.

Having the flagpole out front will remind veterans that their country stands behind them, she said, and it will also serve a practical purpose.

“Some of our veterans have trouble finding us. The flagpole will show them where our office is,” she said.