The Legionnaires who posted the colors: (left to right) Darlene Wisdom, Dan Halverson, Nick Nikkila, Ken Elliott and Gene Strong.

NASELLE — Naselle resident Darlene Wisdom lives next to the baseball fields and park. From her window she enjoys a view of the ballfields and flagpole. As a veteran (U.S. Army 1977-80) and widow of a career Army Vietnam veteran, the American flag holds an important and special place in her heart. Wisdom is currently a member of the American Legion Post 12 in Astoria and the VFW Auxiliary Post 10580 in Warrenton.

“Darlene can see the field and flagpole from her backyard,” said Justin Laine, principal of the Naselle-Grays River Valley School. “When the flagpole light was not working, Darlene let me know so we could correct the problem.”

With the light once again in operation, Wisdom spearheaded an effort to purchase a new and more appropriately sized American Flag. The money to purchase the flag came from donations by Glenn and Laura Ray, Jeff and Amber Eaton, Deep River American Legion Post 111, Wisdom and son Brian and wife Elsa Wisdom.

With the new flag in hand and a suggestion by Trenton Garlock, Naselle Sports Club President, that the start of baseball season was approaching, Wisdom set about coordinating a flag-raising ceremony as a season opener for the new baseball season. Since the ballfields and flagpole are on school property, that coordination included Laine, coach Randy Lindstrom and Little League coaches.

“I think people like to see the flag flying, whether they are pulling into Okie’s, or the post office of just passing through town,” said Wisdom. “It’s a nice thing for the community to come together for something patriotic. It’s non-partisan, which is also very important in these trying times.”

“Everyone was supportive of the idea,” noted Wisdom. “I worked on an agenda and asked American Legion Post 111 if they would serve as the color guard. Flyers were placed at local businesses and the event was advertised on Facebook in order to let the community know about it. Trenton Garlock told me about a young lady named Kamilla Harris who has a lovely voice for singing the National Anthem.”

On Saturday, March 16, the preparation by Wisdom and others paid off with Legionnaires and VFW Auxiliary members from Oregon, community members and dignitaries such as School Superintendent Lisa Nelson, Pacific County Sheriff Daniel Garcia, Wahkiakum County Commissioner Gene Strong and American Legion District 5 Commander Dan Halverson participating or in attendance.

Following a welcome by Laine and a presentation by Wisdom, Commander Halverson issued the order to “post the colors.” This was performed by members of American Legion Post 111, who then stood in salute while Harris sang the National Anthem.

The coaches and baseball teams from Mt. Vernon Christian and Naselle-Grays River Valley and the Little League coaches and players approached the flagpole and stood in observation of the event.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the baseball season got underway with a Comets victory over Mt. Vernon Christian in a rematch of last year’s state title game. Based on sentiments of those in attendance, there is a chance this could become an annual season-opening event.