American Legion Post 44 salutes Sept. 11 with hundreds of American flags in Ridgefield

Jade Bourke receives a flag handed to him by Steve Raethke on Thursday morning. The American Legion Post 44 members, and other legion members, helped set up more than 200 American flags to be displayed Thursday, the 24th anniversary of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Photo by Paul Valencia

American Legion members woke up early Thursday morning to display 214 flags throughout Ridgefield, to honor America and to promote unity as the country reflects on events of Sept. 11, 2001 during Patriot Day

Paul Valencia
Clark County Today

They woke up early, to use as much of the day as possible.

They will return in the evening, before sunset.

Due to the efforts of American Legion Post 44 Ridgefield, on this day, Sept. 11, more than 200 American flags are on display throughout the city. Flags every 10 yards or so along Main Street, and flags surrounding the roundabouts along Pioneer Street.

“The American flag ties us all together,” Jade Bourke said as he loaded dozens of flags in his truck before embarking on his mission Thursday morning. “It’s one thing, with all our differences and everything else, we can all get behind. It gives us a sense of pride. To quote the American Legion: A hundred percent Americanism. That’s what it’s about to me.”

The flags will be on display all day, on the 24th anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Jen McDonnell, commander of American Legion Post 44 Ridgefield and a U.S. Army veteran, posts an American flag Thursday in Ridgefield. Photo by Paul Valencia

In the evening, more American Legion members, as well as local Boys Scouts, will return to collect the flags, and store them until the next appropriate day.

Post 44 first started displaying the flags in Ridgefield in 2010. Just recently, many of the flags were washed or replaced, and the poles were repaired or replaced, as needed.

“The people in the community love to see it,” said Jen McDonnell, commander of American Legion Post 44. “Some people ask, ‘Can’t you leave them out all the time?’ We can’t.”

There is, after all, flag etiquette to consider.

Judith Wyatt and Doug Gregg salute one of the flags they posted Thursday morning along a roundabout in Ridgefield. Photo courtesy Jen McDonnell

Besides, the American Legion wants the big flag display to be saved for special occasions: Veteran’s Day, MLK Day (also a national day of service), Memorial Day, Labor Day, and, of course, the Fourth of July. The American Legion also has a color guard to lead the famous Fourth of July Parade every year in Ridgefield.

“We let people know what the flag is about, symbolism, and how important it is, especially on a day like today,” McDonnell said Thursday morning.

Jen and her husband James met while serving in the United States Army. They are still serving, through the American Legion.

“It’s Americanism, patriotism,” said Steve Raethke, another American Legion member who was helping out Thursday.

Sept. 11, 2001 was horrific, but good came out of it, too.

“I just saw how the country came together that day,” Raethke said.

Displaying the flags is Ridgefield’s way to remember not just Sept. 11, but the response.

“It’s one heart, seeing everybody get together,” Raethke said.

Air Force veteran Jim Bowen also helped out with the Patriot Day Flag Display.

“I see the American Legion as a way to demonstrate patriotism and to support our country,” Bowen said. “It gives community spirit, that small-town feel that Ridgefield is trying not to lose as it expands.”