Legionnaires Stas Schebella, Chuck Steele (center), and Lester Koch raise the flag at the Sept. 20 home varsity game. Photo courtesy Huber family.

submitted by Rita Huber and Heidi Huber-Stein

Chuck Steele, 94 years young, has been raising the flag at Manchester football games for 71 years. Chuck states, “It’s a matter of pride and honor.”

After talking to Chuck at the first football game this year, Rita Huber decided his 71 years of helping raise the flag at games should be recognized. 

Back in March of 1953, Chuck Steele returned from active duty in the United States Navy, serving during the Korean War. He joined the American Legion Post 117 here in Manchester the next month. In the fall of 1953, Chuck attended a Dutchmen football game. As the band played the National Anthem, he realized there was not a flag on the field. 

Chuck spoke to Bud Middlemiss, who was the Post commander at the time, and arranged to take the colors to the football games. Other Legion members who helped with this back then were Alger Clark, Bob Popkey, and Don Stockwell. As they were discharged from service-related duty, men returned to their hometown of Manchester, and the Post continued to gain new members. After their discharges, Frank Randall, Lauren Huber, and Eddie Steele also helped raise the flag for the football games. Through the years there were many more. This tradition continued at what is now called Alumni Field and was then carried on to the new field. It continues and Chuck Steele continues to help raise the flag. 

Chuck was also instrumental in getting the flags on Main Street. After talking to the Chamber of Commerce and finding out a lot of merchants didn’t have flags, the American Legion Post 117 placed flags in front of each store on 12 holidays a year at a cost of $25 a year. The first time they were put up on Main Street was July 4, 1967. This was the year of Manchester’s centennial celebration. This practice continues to this day.

Manchester thanks the American Legion, Emil Jacob Post 117 for its continued service to the community.