Legion Post 11 veterans honor the flag and citizens

A patriotic group of citizens gathered at the Lovell downtown veterans park Friday evening to witness the ceremonial retirement of worn American Flags by local veterans.

But the evening presented more than just the annual Flag Day ceremony.

As members of Robert Boyd Stewart American Legion Post 11 prepared to retire flags, master of ceremonies and Post 11 commander Rich Fink first presented four awards.

First, Fink surprised retiring Lovell Elementary School music teacher Chauna Bischoff with a certificate and plaque of appreciation from Post 11 for her service to veterans for decades. For many years Bischoff has taken her elementary students, mostly fifth graders, to Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies and other events to sing patriotic songs, and she also played a major role over the last several years in organizing the annual Veterans Day program for Lovell schools and the community at the Lovell High School Johnny Winterholler Gym.

Bischoff took a group of her students to Friday’s event in what may well be her final event as a music educator.

Next, Fink honored LHS Class of 2024 member Riley Laffin for winning the post, district and Department of Wyoming oratorical contest, advancing to the national contest in Hillsdale, Michigan.

Fink then honored Post 11 member Nicolle Laffin for her service to veterans in Wyoming at both the state and local levels. Fink called Laffin “a moving force” for Post 11 and beyond, noting her service as the American Legion District Four first vice commander and as a member of the Wyoming Veterans Commission. Fink honored Laffin as the Post 11 Legionnaire of 2024.

Fink wrapped up his presentations by recognizing Lewis Walker for his 50 years of continuous membership in Post 11.

Post chaplain Jim Thomas then led the ceremony to retire a large American flag with veterans carefully cutting and burning each of the 13 stripes, then the field of stars, as Thomas told of the significance of each stripe based on the 13 folds a flag receives at a military funeral before being presented to a spouse or other family member of the deceased service member.

As each stripe was cut and placed in the fire, Dan Laffin and son James made the corresponding fold of a flag as they stood behind the fire.

A strong group attended the ceremony, which ended just as rain started to come down with the arrival of a spring shower.