On the morning of the Fourth of July, our community gathered for a memorable flag- raising ceremony at the historic flagpole on the north end of the former Fort Lawton parade grounds. Erected in 1946 to commemorate the end of World War II, the flagpole had not flown an American flag for decades. As our nation’s 250th anniversary approached, a small group of us decided it was time to change that and restore a profound piece of living history.
Gathering at this site, which also serves as the officially designated viewpoint honoring late U.S. Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson, provided a poignant opportunity to reflect on a wide range of perspectives. The American flag embodies many meanings and contradictions, and our ceremony recognized how different communities embrace, question, and redefine its symbolism over time. Bringing together such diverse groups allowed us to honor that complexity, along with our shared and evolving history.
This event would not have been possible without the dedication of so many individuals. We extend our deepest gratitude to our Friends of Discovery Park board members who stepped up to help: John Rundall, Marcus Donner, Bill Laprade, and Pete Hanning. A very special thanks goes to Bart Cheever, not only for his hard work in making this happen but also for the generous use of his family’s American flag.
We are also deeply grateful to the community partners who joined us in this reflection. Thank you to Bryce McWalter from the Rotary Club of Magnolia and the American Legion, Elizabeth Servey, and Scout Troop 80. We extend our sincere appreciation to Willie Lindner, Aly Teeter from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Kendra Aguilar, along with the Native Veterans from Daybreak Star.
Finally, a heartfelt thanks to the local leaders and participants who honored us with their presence, including Retired Naval Officer and Councilmember Bob Kettle, Councilmember Dan Strauss, and, of course, Veteran Jim Devine, who beautifully served as our bugler.
When surrounded by nature’s glory, it is easy to forget that Discovery Park was once an active military base housing over 1,000 buildings. Our Fourth of July program allowed us to reconnect with that heritage, honoring the many layers of history within this precious land we call Discovery Park.
See More from the Fourth of July
Want to see more of the morning? View our Fourth of July recap on Instagram for additional photos, behind-the-scenes moments, and highlights from the flag-raising ceremony.
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