Celebrating Flag Day

Newsboy photo/ Sharon Kerr JASPER POLICE CHIEF TODD HUNTER chatted with residents at Jasper Nursing and Rehabilitation during the Flag Day barbecue hosted by Primary Care EMS.

The best laid plans... Jasper Nursing and Rehabilitation's activities director William Hoffman scheduled a Flag Day barbecue June 14 to honor the home's veterans.

Police Chief Todd Hunter and Jasper Mayor David Barber came, as planned. Primary Care EMS provided grilled burgers, as planned. In an unusually rainy week, the sun even shined as planned.

But the soldiers from Ft. Polk who were to dine with the residents were no where to be seen- they were deployed to Iraq, Hoffman said, and no replacements were available.

Jasper Nursing and Rehab is currently home to eight veterans: Forrest Cherry, James Jordan, James Calhoun, Kenneth Kinnard, Marvin Crumpler, Dennison Gilley, Grover Houston and Jimmy Phlegar.