By Moses Leos III.
Before enlisting in the U.S Armed Forces or National Guard, countless men and women recite the U.S Armed Forces Oath of Enlistment. That credo affirms their adherence to protect, defend and honor the Constitution, and obey the President of the United States.
While many veterans exit military service, their allegiance to the oath never does. For the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 12058, the oath resonates within their very fiber.
For the past six years, the post has lowered flags around Kyle to half-mast during times of strife, peril or remembrance.
Dwight Stewart, Post Commander for the Kyle VFW, said the post began this ritual in 2007 in response to the city loaning the former Balcones Bank building on Front Street to the post. The post performs the service as a “handshake agreement” with the city.
Kyle VFW Post Commander Dwight Stewart poses with the flag the post traditionally flies over their headquarters. Since 2007, Stewart and the VFW Honor Guard help lower flags around Kyle to half staff whenever a Presidential Order calls for it. (photo by David White) |
The service is strictly a volunteer effort, with no financial obligation from either the entity.
Stewart, who has taken part in the ritual four times, understands the significance. It is his continuing duty as a military veteran.
“I think it is an important part. That’s part of being a vet – to take care of the flag and protect the flag,” he said. “That’s one of the things we sign on to do when we enlist in military-to protect and defend the flag.”
As post commander, it is Stewart’s job to check for any Presidential Orders to lower the flag to half-staff. He then ensures volunteers, deemed the “Honor Guard,” are prepared to lower the flag.
The volunteer’s day begins at sunrise. The Honor Guard then lowers and raises six flags around the city. Normally, those six flags remain aloft 24 hours a day, seven days a week – which is allowed since they have lights shining on them after sundown.
However, upon a Presidential Order, or during a holiday such as Veterans Day or Patriot Day, they lower the flag to half-mast.
The group obtains the key to the lowering mechanism and starts the process. They conduct the ritual with no pomp and circumstance. They do not wear special uniforms. It’s a simple, quiet procedure.
It is also a procedure that has refined over time.
Oath of Enlistment“I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”(Title 10, US Code; Act of 5 May 1960 replacing the wording first adopted in 1789, with amendment effective 5 October 1962). |
Sly Bennet, a Vietnam veteran is in the Honor Guard and has raised and lowered flag on many occasions.
He, and other experienced Honor Guardsmen, now hold a keen eye on where the flag needs to go.
“We can do it by eye. We take it all the way up, then put it at half-staff,” Bennet said. “We are used to doing it, so we know where it needs to be.”
The Honor Guard and the post realize the significance of their duty. Stewart referenced the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary last December – a moment that rocked this nation to its core.
Despite the overwhelming sadness, they lowered the flag to half-staff. For the group, it was their duty.
“It’s an obligation we take to protect and defend the United States,” Steward said. “It’s our responsibility when we take the oath.”
The post volunteers realize their role in providing the service to their community is in exchange for being allowed to meet at the city’s building on South Street. These vets say they are honored because they do not have the funds to pay for a meeting place.Unless stated by Presidential Order – the death of a president, which calls for the flag to remain at half-staff for 30 days – the Honor Guard returns at sunset to raise the flags.
They especially cherish their Friday morning breakfast, where they network with other Kyle vets.
Kyle City Council member and veteran Chad Benninghoff said the ritual is an honor for the post. The ability to meet with fellow veterans, people who may share similar experiences, is riveting.
Left, members of the Kyle Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 12058 salute, as they raise the flag in front of the post. Since the City of Kyle donated the old bank building on Front Street to the Kyle VFW, members have responded in kind by lowering flags around the city whenever a presidential order calls for it. As a result of their “handshake agreement” with the city, members have a place to talk with other veterans in the area. Right, several members of the Kyle VFW gather for their famous Friday breakfast session, where veterans gather to talk over coffee and military style breakfast selections. (photos by David White) |
“[The veterans] talk about the news and share information,” Benninghoff said. “It’s a good place for veterans and spouses to come down and say hello [rather] than being at their house.”
For spouses of military members, it allows them to pull together as a family.
“Having the building is awesome. We’d have no place to go otherwise,” Linda Freeman said. “We are like a big family. We care for each other. If you need us, we’re there. We just hang out.”
For Bennett, it is a way to honor the flag they hold dear.
“It’s something it’s always giving back to community,” Bennett said. “It’s our way of honoring the flag. I think it’s a great idea for us to do this.”
