Local businesses donate funds to purchase replacement flag for the Blue Bridge

A donation from several local businesses will allow American Legion Post 34 to purchase a new American flag to raise above the Blue Bridge.

Todd Halterman from PCP Consulting, Keith Silliman from Farmer's Exchange, Jake Musser with Musser Brothers/Trucks and Auto Auction, Rob Ellsworth from Retter & Company Sotheby's International, and Michael McDonnal from Cherry Creek Media pooled resources to purchase a replacement flag.

The flag that was flying above the Blue Bridge was tattered from recent winds, and a portion of the pole carrying the flag was also damaged.

"The severe wind and weather that they get up there on the bridge, it's a lot higher than ground level, so they get tore up pretty bad," said Sande Payne with American Legion Post 34. "This last big wind that we had last week also broke a guide wire."

When Washington State Department of Transportation removed the flag on Wednesday, crews also repaired the guidewire.

However, the flags cost about $500 each, and have to be replaced about every six months, and the organization didn't have the funds for a replacement flag.

Michael McDonnal with Cherry Creek Media in Pasco drives over the Blue Bridge every day on his way to the radio station group in Pasco, and spotted the sagging flag Wednesday morning.

"It was partially on the pole, partially draped over the top of the truss arch. In 20 years of coming in to KONA I don't remember seeing anything like it, McDonnal said.

When he learned that the American Legion Post needed help with funds for a replacement flag, he made a couple of phone calls and sent a couple of text messages, and says the funds were compiled within about seven minutes.

Payne says she received a call from Jake Hancock with Prestige Motors in Pasco who said he would like to replace the flags from now on.

She says the pledge is a great relief, and will allow them to use their funds for other projects that support Veterans in the Tri-Cities.

"We're still raising for flags, because we also replace flags for veterans' homes, and provide flags that go to cemeteries," Payne said.

She said they provide other forms of support for veterans, including assistance with meals, home repairs, social activities, and a place for the men and women to go to share their experiences.

"Veterans won't talk to other people about what happened to them, but they will talk to another veteran," Payne said. "We have a place where they can go and be with comrades where they can talk about things that happened to them."

Payne is a retired truck driver from Hanford, and hasn't served in the Armed Services herself, but supports several family members who have.

"My late husband was a veteran for 17 years, he did two tours in Vietnam, and was a police officer in West Richland until he was killed in 1991 up at Vista Field."

She also has three brothers who were in the Navy, and an aunt who was a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy, and enjoys providing support for area veterans.

If you would like to support the organization's work. send donations to the American Legion Post 34 at:

PO Box 2571
Pasco, WA 99302

Or you can contact Flag Fund Chair Sande Payne at 509-420-0096 or the Legion at 509-545-1200, or email sandepayne@gmail.com.