The Huntley Farmside

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Thursday, June 18,1998
The Himtley Farmside
..^ ..^^^ A Press Publications newspaper ar serving the Huntlev communitv
Volume 37 Issue 62
Ceremony helps pay respect to Old Glory
Steve Brosinski
Press Publications
Large flags, like a 9-foot-by- 18-foot one that flew on a pole in front of a Woodstock busi¬ ness, and smaller ones, were given a final tribute Sunday.
The Hunfley American Legion celebrated Flag Day with an annual flag-burning cer¬ emony at the village square.
Following one last color guard salute, a prayer and a brief tribute from the Mchenry County American Legion com¬ mander, two members of the Legion unfolded the first weath¬ er-worn flag, before carefully placing it on a bed of blazing timbers.
Within moments, the red, white and blue material was ablaze, leaving behind a pile of smoldering* ash.
Sunday was Flag Day, a day set aside to honor Old Glory and a day to retire flags that are considered not fit for service.
"Instead of throwing them in the garbage we respectfully dis¬ pose of them," said George Lesch, county commander of the American Legion. "We feel its important to give the flags a proper disposal or retirement."
A small crowd gathered at the square to pay final respects to over four dozen flags. Chuck Roth, owner of Alliance Construcfion in Woodstock, brought several flags including the massive one draped from the pole in front of his business this year.
"My father served in World War II and I have friends that were lost in the war," Roth said about bringing the flags to the ceremony.
Watching the flags burn, Roth quipped, "That big a flag
Photo by Steve Brosinski
Herb Glissendorf and Tom Harmon (above), both members of the Huntley American Legion, place a flag over a barbecue pit as part of the Legion's annual flag-burning ceremony.
gets ripped up pretty easily. I
was nervous that the pole was
going to tip over."
Besides Roth's flags, dozens
of tattered flags were donated
from the HunUey Park District,
the village, Hunfley Cemetery
and many citizens.
"We've done this the last five years," post secretary Herb Glissendorf said.
Seven-year-old Emily
Glissendorf, Herb's niece, perched her arms over a railing on the gazebo as she watched the ceremony.
Post Commander Joe Shaller said the legion retired more flags this year than in the past.
Lesch said the Legion pre¬ sents a Flag Program in schools, clubs and organization to instruct the public on flag eti¬ quette.
see Ceremony—page 2
Photo by Steve Brosinski American Legion members present the flag for retirement, prior to the flag being burned.
Grant is approved for new library to be built
Steve Brosinski
Press Publications
The Huntley Area Library Board announced last week that the state has approved the $250,000 Live and Leam grant for the construction of a new library.
"It has really inspired everybody that this will happen. It's great that we have gone this far," Library Board President Michael Fleck said.
Last year, voters approved a $2.4 million referendum to replace the current 1,200-square-foot building. Fleck said the new building is expected to be about 15,000 square feet. Total cost of the new library is expected to approach $2.6 million.
Funds from the state grant allow for a slighfly larger building, Fleck said.
"We're happy to get this done a little below the original cost of the build¬ ing," Fleck said. "Now we don't have to scale down the size of the building."
Bids are expected to go out this week, with a groundbreaking ceremony set for 11 a.m. Monday, July 6. Secretary of State George Ryan, the state librarian, will be invited to see Library—^page 2