Ed McDaris thanks members of VFW Post 8874, American Legion Post 90 and BPOE (Elks) Lodge 2083 for attending the first raising of a U.S. flag over Ashley Pond Monday evening. Los Alamos County completed installation of the flag pole last week and McDaris thanked the crew led by Jeff Humpton for getting it installed. Photo by Melanie Chapman

VFW members Ed McDaris, left, and Jim Nesmith raise the U.S. flag Monday afternoon at Ashley Pond. Photo by Melanie Chapman
Local veterans, from left, VFW Cmdr. Roger Anaya, Eli Garcia, Ed McDaris, Bill Cooper, Paul Elkins, Victor Medina and Jim Nesmith attend the initial raising of the U.S. flag over Ashley Pond Monday afternoon by Ed McDaris. Photo by Melanie Chapman