This article appeared in the Marietta Daily Journal on Wednesday, March 20, 1974.
Les Cater of Smyrna is a flag waver…and he is proud of it.
As chaplain of American Legion Post 29 in Marietta, it is Cater’s job to donate American flags to schools, scout troops, and other groups that want a new American flag.
Last week he donated flags to Park St. School in Marietta and the Milford Elementary school on Austell Road.
Each donation involved lowering an old tattered American flag and replacing it with a brand new version of Old Glory. Both ceremonies were performed outside in sunny weather.
“It was so beautiful outside when the flag was raised, I choked up,” said Cater, who is a builder by profession and a veteran of World War II. Cater added that he always gets that way when he sees the American flag.
“I love my country,” said Cater. In this day off cynicism, Cater knows he may sound old-fashioned to some people, but that’s the way he feels. And judging from the response he gets from some of the flag recipients, others share his unashamed patriotism.
He has a stack of letters from students at Milford School, all thanking him for the flag and for his explaining flag etiquette.
Cater said his American Legion post gives away about three dozen flags a year, about 12 large outdoor ones, and 24 of the indoor variety used by scout troops. When a new flag is donated, the old one is folded gently and taken to the American Legion post where it is burned according to regulations. The ashes are scattered in the wind.
American Legion Post 29 was formed 25 years ago and meets the first Tuesday each month at its headquarters on Gresham Avenue, Marietta. The post, with 443 members, is commanded by J.W. Barmore.
The largest on-going program involves helping veterans solve problems with hospitalization and pensions. An average of “six” veteran’s affairs questions are processed each week.
