Colors of honor

Bryce Alderton

Stella Wernig stood in the cool Tuesday morning air anxiously awaiting

a vision of the giant American flag about to be raised at the old

Broadway store at the Huntington Beach Mall.

The event was to jump start Veteran’s Day festivities and encourage

citizens to spend their money in the city.

“I couldn’t wait to get up here,” Wernig said. “My late husband and

late brother were World War II vets. I find that the older you get the

more patriotic you get.”

Red, white and blue balloons were released into the gray sky and the

Star Spangled Banner played on the speakers as the 30-foot by 20-foot

American flag was raised and mounted on the north side of the abandoned

Broadway building.

Tuesday’s flag dedication marked the start of the Huntington Beach

Chamber of Commerce’s Shop, Play and Stay in Huntington Beach, It’s easy

as pie campaign, designed to honor America’s veterans during the upcoming

Veteran’s Day weekend, and encourage people to visit city restaurants,

retail stores, hotels and car dealerships, to stimulate the economy

following the events of Sept. 11.

“I’m privileged to stand under the stars and stripes to call it our

own,” said Art Aviles, who sits on the board of directors of the chamber.

“I thank all veterans of all wars.”

Four members of the Fleet Reserve Assn. Orange County Branch 175 --

all retired from the United States Navy -- were on hand for Tuesday’s

flag ceremony.

Branch member Donald Avery was on battleships during World War II and

the Korean War, and smiled when asked about the city’s Veteran’s Day

kickoff.

“It’s great for the county to show a feeling of patriotism,” he said.

The group tries to be active in community events.

“We go to all events that pertain to the flag whether it be a display

or a dedication,” said Winnie Hamerlinck, who was joined by husband

Roger, both are branch 175 members.

The Ezralow Company, one of the mall’s co-owners, purchased the flag

from Pageantry World in Huntington Beach.

It is the largest known flag in Huntington Beach and will stay on the

side of the Broadway building indefinitely.The campaign begins Friday and

runs through Sunday. Participating businesses will display colored “Shop,

Play and Stay” posters and will offer various discounts, opportunity

drawings and free slices of pie with dinner purchases at restaurants.

“It’s primarily because of the tragic events of Sept. 11 and the

downturn in the economy,” said Joyce Riddell, president of the Huntington

Beach Chamber of Commerce. “We want to show how important it is for

people to get out, get back to normal and encourage people to shop.”