The Betsy Ross Flag flying in Gig Harbor in 1986.
In 1919, soon after World War I ended, veterans of that war, to end all wars, formed the American Legion. The Legion grew to be the largest veterans service organization in the United States committed to advocating patriotism, honor, strong national security and wholesome community projects.
This year, 2020, Post 150 continues to celebrate the Centennial of the American Legion and its own Post Centennial (charter date: 15 of October 1920). Our centennial festivities will also include participation by the American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion.
On November 5 to 9 of 1975, Tacoma became the 41st city to host the 24-car Freedom Train which was touring America in celebration of our National Bicentennial.
To augment the train's visit, a group of local ladies sewed and sewed and sewed creating a 24 ft. x 13 ft. copy of our first flag, The Betsy Ross Flag.
When the Freedom Train was parked at Fort Lewis, the United States Army provided a large hydraulic crane from which to exhibit the Betsy Ross Flag. Mother Nature ultimately blew the flag onto the extended sections of the crane staining the stars and stripes with hydraulic fluid.
After the train departed, heading for Seattle, the flag visited two local dry cleaning establishments to no avail. Only about 95% of the stain was removed and that was not good enough for the sewing ladies. They immediately went to work and produced a second Betsy Ross Flag and presented it to the Tacoma Bicentennial Commission.
The slightly stained standard was then presented to the Puget Sound Maritime Museum in Gig Harbor. The Gig Harbor crew exhibited the flag at many civic events and it is this flag that will be proudly waving from the Raymond City flag pole on October 15 and later on November 11 in remembrance of 1918 Armistice Day (Newly Veterans Day).