Local American Legion to host "Stand Up For The Flag" event

Roscoe Enloe American Legion Post 5 is hosting a public "Stand Up For The Flag" celebration honoring veterans on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 4, at its Jefferson City headquarters located at 1423 Tanner Bridge Road.

Post members late last year unanimously voted to ban the broadcast of NFL games and cancelled its annual Super Bowl party in response to protests involving the national anthem by league personnel.

The free celebration, scheduled 1:30-6 p.m., will include an address by retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Bryce Lockwood, of Stafford, Missouri, who survived a torpedo attack and airstrike on the USS Liberty in 1967.

Post Commander Vince Rost also spoke about the USS Liberty attack in his Memorial Day speech at Jefferson City National Cemetery last year.

The Feb. 4 event will include presentation of the colors by VFW members, as well as presentations on flag-folding etiquette and the meaning of the flag. There also will be live music, complimentary food and soda, door prizes, games and other activities.

Since announcing its stance on the NFL, the post reports increases in membership and monetary donations tied to its decision. The post is offering related bumper stickers and shirts for purchase. All event proceeds will go to help local veterans in need and their families.

The November news release that announced the post's decision regarding NFL games and the Super Bowl stated, "These changes remain in effect until the NFL changes its support of these protests and can only be rescinded by a majority vote of the Roscoe Enloe American Legion Post 5 membership."

Rost then said a copy of the post's decision had been sent to the NFL's head office.