There has been a changing of the guard in Zillah –  the keeping of the flags guard. After many years of placing flags at local businesses on holidays, members of the Zillah American Legion are relinquishing the flag duties to longtime Zillah businessman Ken Waymire.
According to Waymire, the local legion’s members are getting older and smaller in numbers, making it difficult to complete the project.
“A majority of Legion members are older and they are finding it harder and harder to muster a crew to put up and take down the flags,” Waymire said.
Ninety local businesses in Zillah pay a $20 yearly fee to have flags flown on six major holidays –President’s Day in February, Memorial Day in May, Flag Day in June, Independence Day on the Fourth of July, Labor Day and Veteran’s Day in November.
The local Legion sold its building in December and members said the sale prompted the group to move forward in finding another group to take on the flag project.
“Since 911, it has become even more important to have our American flags up on the holidays,” said Waymire, who admits the patriotic effort is dear to his heart. Although he is not a member of the Legion, Waymire has helped distribute the flags around the city for two or three years. “They just don’t have the manpower to do it anymore.”
Waymire, who also serves as president of the Zillah Chamber of Commerce has agreed to coordinate the project for 2010.
This year’s flag funds will go into a special fund dedicated to the flag project, specifically to help pay for new flags.
“Several existing flags need to be replaced and we will be using this year’s money for that purpose,” he said.
After November, Waymire and the Legion will meet to see how the project went and see what other options may be available.
“Once December gets here, we will revisit the project and see how it went,” he said.
Waymire and a group of volunteers had their initial flag distribution run on President’s Day in February.
Due to inclement weather, the flag crews waiting until 8 a.m. to begin and all flags were in place by 9 a.m.
During good weather the flags are in place by 8 a.m. with crews removing flags at 5 p.m.
Although the Legion is relinquishing the flag project, the group will continue to take part in other activities in Zillah. Legion members are in the process of organizing the annual Community Days parade. Bob Lewis said his fellow Legion members will also continue to speak at local schools on Veteran’s Day, serve as color guards at area parades, conduct Memorial Day services at the Zillah Cemetery and attend funerals for fellow veterans.
Local businesses who are interested in having a flag on display are urged to contact Waymire at Zillah Pro Hardware at (509) 829-6888.
Additional volunteers are also welcome to assist with flag set up and take down. Anyone interested in helping can stop by Zillah Pro Hardware Store at 605 First Ave.