Milwaukee Capitol Branch Manager Carol Herrmann addresses the audience at the flag retirement ceremony. Carol presented checks from North Shore Bank to Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and American Legion Post 449 to support the collection of worn-out flags.

Of all of the community activities I am involved with for North Shore Bank, my absolute favorite is addressing the audience at the Brookfield American Legion Post during their annual flag retirement ceremony. It is an honor to stand among the veterans representing all branches of military service. The post’s men’s chorus sings wonderful renditions of the national anthem and other patriotic songs, and the crowd joins in on “God Bless America.” Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts who have folded hundreds of flags for the ceremony stand, in uniform and scrubbed faces, witnessing the solemn ceremony. I know there are those among these little boys who will be asked, and who will answer, our country’s call to service, and it is a bittersweet thought.

The choir from American Legion Post 449 sings the national anthem and a medley of service songs.

As North Shore Bank’s representative, I am called to the podium to talk about the bank’s commitment to our communities, to dispense donations to the post and Scout troops, to talk about our flag’s significance and to thank our veterans. I also try to carve out a little time each year to share a veteran’s story I have searched out during the year leading up to the ceremony. The following is this year’s story as told to the crowd:

Every year I try to find a story to share with you that reflects my gratitude and respect for veterans. My family performs in a musical trio. Last month, at a nursing home, they played and sang Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.” Some of you probably know the words, but for those of you who don’t, they go like this:

If tomorrow all the things were gone I worked for all my life,
And if I had to start again with just my children and my wife,
I’d thank my God above to be standing here today,
’Cause the flag still stands for freedom, and they can’t take that away.

When my family got to the chorus, one of the nursing home residents in the audience, a veteran, rose on shaking legs and stood at full attention, while tears streamed down his face. The other residents and guests applauded him as the song continued:

I’m proud to be an American
Where at least I know I’m free,
And I won’t forget the men who died
And gave that right to me
And I gladly stand up next to you
And defend her still today
’Cause there ain’t no doubt, I love this land,
God Bless the USA.

I’d like to thank the veterans present tonight for your service on behalf of my family and North Shore Bank. We will always be grateful for your dedication, sacrifice and patriotism. And to paraphrase the words from that song, we won’t forget the men — AND women — who died, or lived, after defending our country and flag. God bless you and God bless the USA!