Community volunteers to remember veterans

Emma Dean, a 17-year-old volunteer, organized poppies to be sold through the Louis Larsen Unit 68 Auxiliary before Memorial Day. The poppies are a symbol of peace, sacrifice, and veterans past and present. Poppies are also a symbol of sleep and hope. A poem titled "In Flanders Field" was written by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae o May 3, 1915 during World War I. McCrae was inspired to write this poem because his friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, died in the second Battle of Ypres. His poem expresses many feelings of loss and handing down the torch.

Volunteering to serve others in your community is a wonderful way to show your support to those individuals and programs in need. One can show their service to their country not just by joining the military, but by fulfilling community services such as voting, donating food or clothing to our local Turning Point, helping to serve at different events at The Castle or Senior Center, putting flags out for Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and many more.

Every year, hundreds of flags are put along Highway 30 and at the Memorial Wall in Clatskanie. Each flag has the name of a living or deceased veteran on it. While it is a lot of work, one tends to get filled with patriotism when seeing everyone enjoying the flags and finding loved one's names.

"I love serving my country because it allows me to give respect to the veterans in my town,” said Emma, whose great grandfather was a World War II veteran who died five years ago. Emma has a special place in her heart for all veterans. Preceding Memorial Day, thank anyone you see that has served or is serving, and a thank you goes out to all who have performed their duties for this country.