Veterans Day flags honor local heroes

Fifty American flags are lining the streets by American Legion Post 1976 in Annandale for the Flags for Our Heroes initiative hosted by the Annandale Rotary Club.

Each flag is dedicated to a veteran, Rotarian, or community member selected by members of the legion.

Among the community leaders honored with a flag: Annandale High School Principal Shawn DeRose, the Mason Police District’s crime prevention officer Stacy Sassano, school board member Ilryong Moon, and Norma Foti, founder of Annandale High School’s food pantry.

The flags were installed on Nov. 8 and will be taken down on Wednesday or Thursday, says Rotarian Kate Walter.

Next year, the Rotary Club is planning to put up 250 flags in recognition of the nation’s 250th birthday, Walter says.

American Legion Post 1976 invites local veterans to a Veterans Day event on Nov. 11, 5:30 p.m., featuring a dinner with chicken, fried rice, steamed vegetables, and egg rolls provided by Thuy Nguyen, founder of the Asian American Community Center in Annandale.

Former Army colonel and past Rotary District Governor Glenn Yarborough will give a presentation, and Rotarian Jim Holcombe will speak about Armistice Day and his father’s wartime experiences.