No one is sure exactly how long the tradition has been going on, but each year for more than 40 years the Chinook Lions Club has given miniature, desk top American flags to each first grader at Meadowlark Elementary. This year 22 first graders received the miniature flags.

Lions Club President Richard Cronk told the students, "Each year around George Washington's birthday celebration we come to give out flags to first graders." He asked the first graders to stand, with him and the other Lions Club members, and repeat the pledge of allegiance to the flag. It was pretty clear these little guys were on top of their game as far as the pledge. They not only said it, they shouted it.

Cronk asked the students, "Where do you see flags around Chinook?" They quickly ticked off several locations including their school, the post office, on playgrounds, in yards and hanging on the fronts of some houses. When he asked, "How many stars are on the flag their was a short hesitation, then someone yelled "20" but soon the class got refocused and shouted "50."" Seems at first they got slightly disoriented for some reason.

Speaking of stars, the kids knew that each star represented a state in the country. They all knew they lived in the state of Montana. And they even knew the number of stripes on the flag. These little guys are well trained in facts about the flag and their country.

Ex-teacher Ben Hall, and also a Lion Club member, moved into some higher domains of learning when he asked, "What does the flag symbolize?" The kids responded, "Our country" and the point was made the flag is a symbol of our country and that's why we treat it with respect. Then, the big moment, the flags were handed out.

Earlier in the day I'd spoken with a local resident who attended all grades at Meadowlark. Last year her daughter, then a first grader, got a flag as did the mom about 20 years prior. The mom admitted, "I don't exactly remember getting the flag but I remember having it and how much fun it was to wave it."

Teachers Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Gandenberger reminded the Lions that they had a first grader who was not there. First grader Wacee Simenson, with some of his family, is still in Denver dealing with some health issues. The Lions left a flag for Wacee and wished him continued healing.

The Chinook Lions Club was organized in 1925. It's the third oldest club in Montana. The club supports a number of youth activities in the community including sponsoring a swim team each summer, helping support the Missoula Children's Theatre annual visit and production, providing scholarships to graduating CHS seniors and supporting the annual trip for CHS students to visit Washington, DC. The local club also provides swim passes for kids who need a little help and manages the upkeep of Ensign Sweet Park and the Girl Scout House.

Chinook Lion, Ben Hall presents miniature American flags to Meadowlark first graders (r-l) Zoë Scoffield and Abby Danley. Each year, for more than 40 years, the Chinook Lions Club has presented the flags to first graders around the time of Washington's birthday.

The club presently finances the community youth programs through pronto pup sales at the Blaine County Fair each summer. Various youth groups and parents, who benefit from support from the Lions, also help in the booth at the fair. It's really a community effort.