McClusky Legion honors fallen heroes
By GABLE RHOADS
Although the guest speaker was missing in action (MIA) at McClusky High School, the James Roberts Post and Auxiliary of the American Legion put on a fitting performance to honor America’s fallen heroes.
The audience stood at attention as Lucas Rath provided the drum beat while the colors were advanced.
The audience continued standing as they recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the "Star Spangled Banner," accompanied by DeEtta Schindler on piano.
Auxiliary Chaplain Andrea Kluck gave the invocation. Derek Mortenson, the Legion’s Boys State Delegate read World War I veteran John McCrae’s "In Flanders Fields."
In Flanders fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields
The Legion’s men’s chorus, led by Duane (Rusty) Lasher" sang the perennial patriotic favorite, "This Land is My Land."
The story of how the poppy came to symbolize the people who sacrificed their lives in war was told by Boys State Delegate Levi Larson.
