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Members of Marble Falls VFW Post 10376 conducted the flag raising ceremony June 1 on Main Street. Pictured, from left, are Bob Hansen, RV Turney and Post Commander Lloyd Crippen. Connie Swinney/The Highlander -
Two Main Street flag poles are now adorned with an American flag and a Texas flag due to a cooperative effort between a business owner and the Marble Falls VFW Post 10376. Pictured, from left, are Wesley Lewis, Post Commander Lloyd Crippen and RV Turney. -
Dozens of attendees, several of which are pictured here, recited the Pledge of Allegiance June 1, led by Marble Falls VFW Post 10376 on Main Street. The event was organized by downtown merchant Belinda Kelley to inspire patriotism and unity. Photos by Connie Swinney/The Highlander -
Mayor Richard Westerman and Marble Falls EDC Business Development Coordinator Midge Dockery joined flag re-installation organizer Belinda Kelley of Main Street Consignment at event June 1 in the heart of the city. -
Burnet County Republican Women provided refreshments at the Main Street flag raising ceremony on Tuesday, June 1 in Marble Falls. Pictured, from left, are Liz Shelton, Gail Teegarden, Mary Jane Avery, Carolyn Alexander and Janice Estill. -
Burnet County resident Sid Holden attended the Main Street flag re-installation ceremony on June 1 in Marble Falls with a cute four-legged friend.
The Marble Falls community came together June 1 to honor those who served and died in the military as well as to inspire unity and patriotism with a flag ceremony in the heart of the city.
The afternoon event involved re-installing the U.S. and Texas flags on two 30-foot poles in the 300 block of Main Street.
“You saw several people here with tears in their eyes,” Mayor Richard Westerman said. “It’s the heart of our community – the patriotism.”
Business owner Belinda Kelley co-organized the event with the assistance of Marble Falls VFW Post 10376 and Burnet County Republican Women. Municipal staff and business leaders joined families and representatives from nonprofit organizations in the crowd.
The two poles in the right-of-way in front of Kelley’s shop, Main Street Consignment, were best remembered by long-time residents as a patriotic fixture of the historic Michel’s Drug Store. The building served as the community’s central market for goods from 1865 to 1930.
“Those flag poles have been there for many, many years. I’ve always wanted to do this. A friend provided me with these beautiful flags,” Kelley said. “With our country in this condition, we need this right now.”
Marble Falls VFW Post 10376 Commander Lloyd Crippen, who coordinated the posting of the colors with other members of the post, said he supported the timing of the ceremony as well as the message it sends to those who have lost loved ones.
“People gather together, and any opportunity like this where we can pay homage to not only the United States of America but to all the veterans who passed on from this,” Crippen said, referring to May 31 Memorial Day activities.
“Memorial Day should be patronized every day of the year. Those boys gave all, so that you and I could have what we have.”
Crippen also expressed gratitude to the organizers and community for honoring their service.
“For us veterans, it is a memory of what we fought and some of us died for. Everyone of us in the VFW are veterans of foreign wars. We were in a combat area,” Crippen said. “It means a lot to us to see people honor our flag.”
The event reminded residents what it means to live in a close-knit community.
“Everyone came out of their shops. Everyone came down,” Westerman said. “It’s just another one of these great events, small town, great atmosphere.”
Kelley added, “It makes me feel so good that people come together to celebrate our country, our state and our freedoms.”