The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" Vol. 2025 #33 6-11-25

VOLUME 2025    JUNE 11    NUMBER 33

President Greg McCune welcomed the membership, guests, and the flag salute followed.

PROGRAM: Manhattan Optimist Club Flag Day Ceremony 2025

Jerry Banaka led the Flag Day Celebration and shared the following:

“We meet annually at the Park on the Wednesday closest to Flag Day for two primary purposes:

1. Recognize Flag Day, which is this Saturday, June 14, and to remind us that one of the Purposes of Optimist International is to promote Patriotism;

2. Remember our history and all those who have been a part of It as a member of the MOC.

First the Flag: Thank you to Boy Scout Troop 286 and their Scout Master, Charles Heath , for their time and talent in conducting this Flag Retirement ceremony and to Gary Lloyd for playing Taps.”

 

 

“Just a simple piece of colored cloth sewn together in a red, white, and blue design.  A piece of cloth that of itself does nothing more than hang or blow in the wind.  But too many thousands of people though out our nation's glorious history, it has stood tall, standing as a monument of Freedom, for all Americans.  Men and women have given their lives for it, fought for it, cried for it, and revered it as a symbol for the greatest country on earth. Books, songs, and poems have been written for it, and our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, was inspired by it.  Each day our children are encouraged to pledge their allegiance to it, and when ever it is raised or passes by, we all place our hands over our hearts or salute it. It stands for the freedom we all share and the pride and patriotism we feel for our country.

But when the flag has served its usefulness and no longer is suitable to represent our country, it must be retired and replaced. I believe that a task of this magnitude warrants a well thought out plan and a guide to properly dignify this event. The United States Flag Code simply states: 'Soiled flags may be renovated by either washing or dry cleaning. Worn flags should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning.'  We have two flags we are going to retire today. They both have flown over the Park this past year and been replaced by brand new flags."

The Color Guard took the two flags to be destroyed and unfolded them for viewing.

“We are here today to honor the symbol of our country and retire a flag that has served its useful life as a symbol of freedom.  I am your Flag. I was born on June 14, 1777. I am more than just a piece of cloth shaped into a colorful design, I am the silent sentinel of freedom for the greatest sovereign nation on earth. I am the inspiration for which America patriots gave their lives and fortunes, I am the emblem of the United States of America. I have led your sons into battle from Valley Forge to Vietnam. I was present at the Civil War, Two World wars, at Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, all of them.  I was there with George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Neil Armstrong, and I here with you now. I have flown through Peace and War. Through strife and Prosperity, and through it all, I have always been respected.  My red stripes symbolize the blood spilled in defense of this glorious nation. My white stripes, the burning tears shed by Americans who lost their sons and daughters in battle.  My blue field represents God's Heaven under which I fly, and my stars, clustered together, unify the fifty states as one for God and Country.  I am "Old Glory" and I proudly wave on high.  Honor me, respect me, and defend me with your lives.  Never let our enemies tear me down from my lofty position, lest I never return.  Keep alight the fires of patriotism, strive earnestly for the spirit of democracy, and keep me always as a symbol of freedom, liberty, and peace in our country.  When comes the time when I am old and faded, do not let me fly in disrepair, rather retire me from my duties only to replace me with a new flag so that I may continue to symbolize our country.  With this, renew your commitment to what I stand for and pledge your allegiance to me one final time: “

Scout Carson asked everyone to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.

“As you can see, this banner of Freedom before you is worn, tattered, and soiled from use and age. Her broad stripes are no longer a fiery red and pure white, but faded and worn out. The stars and blue background are no longer vivid reminders of our blue skies and great land, of the purity, vigilance, and justice she should represent.  She has flown proudly over the years and has done her job well, but now she must be replaced with a new flag to properly represent this great Nation of ours.”

“The flag of our Nation should always be a strong, vivid symbol of our land and fly brightly in our minds.  Our flag is a symbol of our people, our freedom, and our strength.  So it is now that I commit this flag, which no longer can fulfill these duties to the fire so that we may replace it with a new flag to properly symbolize our Nation.  May the spirit of this flag be born again in the new flag we will now fly.”

The Color Guard placed the two flags into the fire as Gary Lloyd played Taps.

The group moved to the memorial under the flagpole and Jerry Banaka continued his memorial presentation.

“As mentioned, promoting patriotism is one of the purposes of Optimist International. The flag was installed as an integral part of the Memorial established at the park for this reason and it flies 24-7. The care and attention we provide to the Flag is evidence of the commitment of our Club to that purpose.

Secondly: We gather around the Memorial to hear the reading of the inscription on the Memorial Stone:

DEDICATED TO THE LOYAL MEMBERS WHO HAVE SERVED

THE MANHATTAN OPTIMIST CLUB

A simple message but a reminder of our dedication to youth since our club was founded in 1959.  Let’s think for a moment of the impact of that service on the youth of our community since 1959.

Our club has approximately 20 programs thru which our members serve the youth of the community each year.

Our club supports approximately 30 youth related organizations annually with financial assistance.  All these programs and financial assistance would not be possible without the service of so many members thru Christmas Tree Sales, Spaghetti Dinner, Chili Crawl and other projects.  I would be remiss if we did not mention we are continually looking for new ways to serve, such as  Gary Lloyd’s musical instrument program

This Spring we have hosted two softball tournaments and we have another scheduled soon.

We are sharing this park in new ways thru hosting these tournaments

The service of so many who continually maintain and improve this park is vital to providing the opportunity to many many youth to sharpen their skills here and the building of character.

In concluding this part of the program, let us have a moment of silence to remember those who have passed who have been a part of the legacy of service to our community.

We remember Steve Owens and Dick Hayter, past Presidents of the Club, who passed this past year.

AMEN

Let us leave this memorial with a renewed commitment to carry on the legacy of service to the youth of this community.”

The group moved to to the memorial at the north end of the Park for a few words from Clyde and closed with the reciting of the Optimist Creed inscribed on the memorial.

“This memorial was created when Neil Grantham, one of our founders, passed away and his family created this memorial for the founders of the Manhattan Optimist Club.”

Gary Lloyd updated the group on the musical instrument drive.  Last week was the musical instrument drive.  He thanked Bob Seymour and Lisa Brummett for picking up the instruments from the banks. Tuesday, they were taken to Manhattan High School for triage. There were 40 band and orchestra instruments and one accordion. The band directors were thrilled. They evaluated the instruments with the instrument repair person for the KSU Bands and the instruments that need a little TLC work will be done first and in the hands of students this fall. Thanks to kstate Credit Union east and west and Landmark National Bank, central and west for collecting instruments from donors. Thanks also to the committee for their help and Tyler Traxon for the media work. Also thanks to Greg McCune for supporting the project and the Optimist Board for the matching funds for the grant.  Many thanks to the committee members: Lisa Brummett, Karen Hawes, Bob Seymour, Rebecca and Tyler Traxon.

Jim Franke announced another fast pitch softball tournament with ten teams for girls eight and under at Optimist Park this Saturday and Sunday.  Help is still needed to maintain fields and park cars.

Lisa Brummett announced the members who have children or grandchildren who will attend KSU and reminded them they are eligible for the Optimist Scholarship.

Jim Morrison is running for City Commission, as is Larry Fox, who was mentioned last week.

Mike Fincham announced the Optimist will be handing out water at the Juneteenth BBQ contest at City Park on Friday, June 13th.

Scott, from Built-So-Well was recognized for his son building the new railing at Optimist Park.

Greg announced six new members have registered.

GUESTS: Mary Phelps, former president, new members Cherie Hoffpauir, and Lee Modesitt, risk and insurance.

JUNE 18: MORNING MEETING: Program: Trase McQueen, KSU Researcher on Memory and Aging: Topic: “Memory and Aging Research”

JUNE 25: NOON MEETING: Respect for the Law, RCPD Officer Recognition: Topic: “Respect for the Law”