During the club's annual "Proudly We Hail,"coordinated by Ray Boman, the following were honored for their respect for the nation's flag: Gayla Gallacher, manager of First National Bank, Bountiful; Bountiful Police Chief Paul Rapp; Fred and Lois Whitney of North Salt Lake; Mike and Annette Hanks, Wes and Vickie Butterfield, and Al and Debbie Boman, all of Bountiful.
Each of those honored received a plaque during the group's regular meeting at Denny's Restaurant inWoods Cross.
Chief Rapp said the police department always receives calls whenever the light shining on the flag is out. Emphasizing a love for the flag among his officers, he said "you'll never find a more patriotic group."
He noted that currently one officer is serving in Kuwait as a major, while last year, two officers were serving overseas in the Reserves.
"We understand what the ultimate sacrifice is, to protect the public and the Constitution may well entail the ultimate sacrifice of life,"Rapp said.
Mike Hanks, himself a 39-year veteran of a career in law enforcement, recalled the history of the flag, and how the flag was flown at Ft. McHenry during the War of 1812.
A huge 30-by-42-foot flag had been created, at a cost of $405, which was raised on a staff while the British were bombing, he said. It was in Sept. 13, 1814, that Francis Scott Key, then a young lawyer, penned what was formally adopted as the National Anthem in 1931.
"I encourage everyone to fly the flag, to support our 130,000 troops overseas," Hanks said.
Fred Whitney recalled growing up in western Massachusetts, where "we were taught to respect the flag, and of its importance. It's so different than today.
"This is a choice land, and the most beautiful of flags," he said. "So many people are losing their lives for freedom. The flag represents love of God, country and freedom."
Wes Butterfield said the flag was flown every day while he was serving in the military in Germany and Vietnam. "Irealized there was no place like here," when serving overseas, the retired fire department captain said.
"We wanted the flag to be the focal point, to do it right," said Al Boman of the new home he and his wife built. "Ray (father)instilled a love of the flag in me. It's with great pride that we have the ability to fly the flag, do it every day."
The Exchange Club is known for its support and love of the flag, placing about 80 flags during seven national holidays around Bountiful. Funds raised from flag subscriptions are used to purchase more flags, Ray Boman said.
Proudly We Hail encourages proper display of the flag by individuals, businesses, and others.
In addition, the local and national Exchange Club is also instrumental in placing Free-dom Shrines containing 28 key documents, such as the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, in schools, city halls, and other public places.
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