A patriotic tradition at Theon
"I don't want to step on any toes," Travis Polek joked. "But if we keep growing at this level, we might pass up Anatone Days."
Hundreds gathered at the home of Polek and his wife, Letha Polek, for the ninth annual Theon Military Flag Ceremony. The event has become a small town tradition that, as Travis put it, shows that people respect the true meaning of Memorial Day.
The ceremony "takes an army" of people to organize each year, Travis said. It's complete with a live and silent auction, and thousands of dollars are raised to support the Idaho Veterans Assistance League in Lewiston.
The gathering originated from humble beginnings when Travis' father, Tom Polek, gifted him a 42-foot flag pole in 2016. More than a dozen neighbors, family members and friends assembled to mount it and raise an American flag.
Travis said since then a pole has never been brought out without being hoisted. He goes through three 6-by-10-foot flags, and a much larger 10-by-15 one for the ceremony, each year to greet drivers passing on Washington State Route 129.
Travis said he has the utmost respect for those who have served, like his father and brother, Todd Polek, who are U.S. Army veterans.
A flag gifted to Travis by Todd is the focal point of the service. At the exact time it had been lowered to half-staff, two fighter planes cut through clear blue sky. Asotin resident Mike Warwick said the P51 Mustang planes belong to Travis' longtime friend, Gary Peters, that were used in World War II and the Korean War.
Prayers, the national anthem, songs from all branches of the military and a speech from Warwick and retired U.S. Marine Jason Brown were part of the observance.
"It's a rare privilege to live a life with purpose and honor," he said. "Their sacrifice is not in vain ... so we can live in a nation with freedom and truth called the United State of America."
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