Veterans saluting during a flag-raising ceremony is a common sight.

But the location of Friday’s salute was a little different. It took place in the front yard of the home of Don and Joan Portz at 1636 10th Ave. N. after the veterans fixed the flagpole and presented the couple with a new flag.

Flying the flag is really important to the Portz family, according to Joan Portz.

“We live in the best country in the world,” she said. “Patriotism has nothing to do with politics.”

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1856 secure a new American flag to a flagpole at the Fort Dodge home of Don and Joan Portz. The VFW post gave the couple the flag to replace a worn out one.

The family also has a history of serving the country in the military. Don Portz is a veteran of the Iowa Army National Guard, where he served in an infantry unit. Joan Portz’s father served in the Korean War and her son was a submarine sailor in the Navy.

The family has had a flagpole in the front yard for awhile. But recently the pole and the flag were showing signs of wear and tear. The flag had slid down, and could no longer reach the top of the pole. Joan Portz said the flag was “crunched up” and had been torn in a storm.

She said that George Sexton, a Marine Corps veteran who is the commander of the local VFW post, stopped by the house and offered to help them get their flag up properly.

“They were striving to get our American colors up,” Sexton said.

Sexton said he would bring them a new flag.

That new flag was the one the VFW color guard raised Friday afternoon.

Sexton said the VFW will assist any local resident who needs help with their flag or flagpole.