Chris Jones: Green Publishing, Inc.
The American Legion Post 224, located in Cherry Lake, is on a mission to promote “Americanism” in Madison County. Americanism is defined by the Legion as “pride in your country, regardless of race, gender, or religion.” The primary method employed by the Legion, according to Chaplain Stuart Scott, is through educating the public about flag etiquette and displaying American flags. Anyone driving through Madison recently undoubtedly saw the abundance of flags on the courthouse lawn. It all began when Clerk of Court Billy Washington was cleaning out the courthouse basement. He discovered a collection of flags that were used by the now defunct Madison American Legion Post 68, which as Washington remembers, decorated the courthouse lawn with red white and blue during his childhood. Wanting to bring back that patriotic tradition, he reached out to the Legion.
The age and state of the flags found in the basement made them unserviceable, but according to Scott, they will be archived and preserved by the Legion. Next, the Legion approached local area businesses and organizations that have supported their efforts in the past. The Legion looked for sponsorships, which would cover the cost of a new flag for the courthouse, as well as, additional flags to be placed in places such as classrooms, cemeteries, and volunteer fire departments. Additionally, the sponsorships support the Legion's mission to educate the public on flag etiquette. Teachers, employers, and civic organizations can contact the Legion and request a flag etiquette presentation.
The Legion's goal was 50 sponsors for 50 flags, but when they reached 63, they stopped accepting sponsors for this year. The flags flew from Memorial Day to Flag Day, and each was sponsored by a particular business, individual, or organization. To thank those sponsors, the Legion recently went to each and presented the flag that flew under their sponsorship and a certificate of appreciation. New flags must be used each year as the intense heat of the Florida sun and the wind take a toll on the flags.
Recently, the American Legion helped sponsor federal legislation that would make destroying or desecrating the flag illegal, and not protected as freedom of speech. To promote its mission in Madison County, Cherry Lake Post 224 and the Sons of the American Legion will be holding a golf tournament on Nov. 10, dubbed Flags and Flagpoles. The American Legion is open for membership to any current or prior service member who served during wartime. Spouses and children of those veteran's can also participate, in the form of supplemental groups such as the Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary. The Legion meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month at Cherry Lake Post 224, located at 4383 NE Cherry Lake Circle The Sons of the American Legion meet on the second Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m., and the Auxiliary meets on the first Wednesday at the same time. Anyone interested in joining the Legion or its affiliates can send an email to the Cherry Lake post at cherrylakepost224@gmail.com.