VFW Commander Seeks Funds For Flags To Be Displayed At Post
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Veterans of Foreign Wars Warsaw Post 1126 Commander Rex Rife wants to make sure veterans and active service members are honored. That is why Rife is seeking funds from the community for the post to purchase 50 flags with poles to be displayed at the post. Besides being a Vietnam veteran, Rife also is on the rifle squad for the VFW Honor Guard. He has been a member of the VFW since 2008, and is serving his second year as commander. “I came up with the idea for 50 flags to be displayed at the VFW to represent the 50 states,” Rife said. “I wanted to show honor to those who have died for our country and served.” Rife said it concerns him that flags are burned and said the flag needs to be honored. “It’s time to pay respect to the flag and bring this country back to where it should be,” Rife said. Rife said once the funds for the flags are donated he had the idea of Cardinal Services clients putting the flags and poles together to be displayed at the VFW. Russ Bauer, Northeast Indiana ride captain for Indiana Patriot Guard Riders, loaned the VFW 24 flags that have been displayed to honor VFW members who have died. The VFW also has displayed the flags on holidays such as Memorial Day, July 4, Veterans Day and Flag Day in June. The total cost for plastic flag poles is $175.43 and the cost for 50 flags is $350. People who would like to donate funds to purchase flags and flag poles can mail checks with Adopt A Flag in the memo line to VFW Post 1126, 1350 W. Center St., Warsaw IN 46580. People who have questions can call Rife at 574-371-5739. The post also installed a red box last month at the south east side of the VFW where the community can drop off tattered flags.
