New flag is project of Latham Class of '61

A new fringed American flag on a telescoping pole has been presented to the Latham School by the Class of 1961. Special guests present for the presentation are, front row from left, Wanda (Dowell) Wilde, Tanya Brown, Earlene (Pardoe) Heck; back row, veterans Bob Schreck, Dean Irey, Tony Gallagher, Don Barbour, Robert Fulton and Jodie Heck.
A new fringed American flag on a telescoping pole has been presented to the Latham School by the Class of 1961. Special guests present for the presentation are, front row from left, Wanda (Dowell) Wilde, Tanya Brown, Earlene (Pardoe) Heck; back row, veterans Bob Schreck, Dean Irey, Tony Gallagher, Don Barbour, Robert Fulton and Jodie Heck.

On Labor Day weekend at the annual Latham School Banquet, Earlene (Pardoe) Heck, who graduated from the Latham Eighth Grade in 1961, thought of a challenge for the Class of '61.

As a result of the work she and Wanda (Dowell) Wilde, also Class of '61 put in, a new four by six foot fringed American flag, with telescoping flagpole, was presented to the Latham School on Friday, Nov. 16, and accepted by Administrator Tanya Brown. A plaque is on the base of the flagpole.

Following the presentation, the students, staff and visitors recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Also present were a number of veterans, including four members of the veterans organization, 40 & 8, Voiture 333, Sedalia. The 40 & 8, official name is "La Société des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux," is named for the number of men (40) or horses (eight) a rail car could transport during World War I. It is an elite organization whose members are selected by invitation and then voted on by the membership.

The 40 & 8 members present were Voiture President Tony Gallagher, Treasurer Don Barbour, Robert Fulton and Jodie Heck, husband of Earlene, Class of '61.

In addition to Heck and Wilde, members of the Class of '61 who contributed were: Mary (Coffelt) Bersano, Jim Flippin, H. Truman Volkart, Terry Hamilton, Shirley (Rogers) Tippie and Dale Ratcliff. Heck reported she was unable to contact Tom Wineland and Don Robinson.