Hoisting the Colors
Flags fly from new pole in Miller
By Brandy Nance
Originally published 03:14 p.m., September 24, 2007
Updated 03:14 p.m., September 24, 2007
MILLER — When 11-year-old Miller resident Jade Jenkins put together a scrapbook of the 2006 Miller Rural Fire Department’s picnic, she realized there was no flagpole in front of the fire department.
Jade, who was putting the scrapbook together as a 4-H project for the 2007 Lyon County Free Fair, made the need for a flagpole known and the Riverside 4-H group jumped into action. Jade’s mother, Patty Jenkins, presented the idea of raising funds for the flagpole to the club and the project took off from there.
“The kids were very excited,” Jenkins said.
Sunday afternoon, Jade, along with other members of the Riverside 4-H group, saw the dream of a flagpole become reality as the pole and new flag was dedicated and the new flags were raised.
Funds for the flagpole were raised by a spaghetti supper and a fireworks stand, Jenkins said. And through the support of the community, the pole now stands tall and proud in front of the Louis and Florence Rathke Firehouse in Miller. A dedication ceremony was held at the firehouse Sunday afternoon with Rep. Peggy Mast as well as a representative from Sen. Sam Brownback’s office, Ryan Gilland of Concordia.
Jenkins said the 4-H group contacted Mast, who arranged for the fire department to have the flag that was raised Sunday afternoon. The flag was flown in Washington D.C. before being transported to Kansas to fly in Miller, Mast said. Mast and Gilland spoke at the dedication Sunday afternoon.
Sunday was a full afternoon for residents of Miller and the surrounding areas. A large potluck dinner was served for people who attended before the flagpole dedication was held.
Donations were being taken at the fire station for reflective signs to be put on mailboxes of all the residents that the district serves. The Miller Rural Fire Department covers 70 square miles around the area, said Jason Gibson, a volunteer firefighter for Miller. Gibson, along with his wife, Mandy, helped install the flagpole.
Gibson said the fire department hopes to purchase 150 to 200 of the signs, which will help emergency vehicles find homes better at night.
Following lunch, the official ceremony was held. The U.S. and Kansas flags were raised by Fire Chief Pete Petersen and Melissa Coats of Admire whose name was drawn for the honor of raising the flags.
The day was topped off with a visit from the Midwest Life Team Helicopter. Two rides on the helicopter were raffled off for a donation of $5.
F To donate to the Miller Rural Fire Department and help out with reflective signs for residents, contact Fire Chief Pete Petersen at (620) 341-0715.