Managers Message

Charles L. Dawsey
General Manager/Executive Vice President for Benton REA.

Dear Members:

June 14 is Flag Day!!  A day when American’s celebrate and show respect to the Flag of the United States of America.  The original flag, which was authorized by Congress on June 14, 1777, had 13 stripes alternating red and white.  Seven red and six white stripes along with 13 stars set in a blue field that represented the original 13 colonies.  Today the flag still has 13 stripes alternating red and white, but with 50 stars to represent 50 United States.
While the flag is made of mere cloth, it represents the fiber of our country.  It is a symbol of unity, honesty, integrity, hard work, ingenuity, strength and above all freedom.  It stands for “one nation under God, indivisible with liberty for all.”  It represents our fathers, mothers, sons and daughters who have and are serving in the armed forces both here and abroad.  For over 200 years it has stood as an ensign to those in battle. 
Today we are engaged in many conflicts.  Some of the conflicts are abroad and some within the boundaries of our own great country.  Our success in addressing these conflicts will depend upon whether we are willing to rise to the occasion, stand for what is right, and rally around “Old Glory.”  
Let’s make sure that our flag continues to “…wave, O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!!!   Join me in saluting the flag of the United States of America at every occasion you get, and together let’s honor all those individuals who have given so much to preserve what it stands for-after all “That is the Cooperative Way.”

Sincerely Yours
Charles L. Dawsey