Brooklyn celebrates Flag Day with parade, bridge dedication

​          Kay Maurer, daughter of the late Harold “Pie” Keller, of Clarence, Iowa, reflects after unveiling the new sign at Big Bear Creek on the north edge of Brooklyn in honor of her father during a ceremony on Saturday, June 8. “Pie,” who grew up in Brooklyn, was one of six Marines who carried the flag to the top of Mount Suribachi on Feb. 23, 1945 during the World War II Battle of Iwo Jima. Two years ago, the town of Brooklyn dedicated a moment located at the Flag Display in honor of “Pie” and three other Brooklyn veterans. Kay’s husband, Steve, is at right.

By J.O. Parker
 
        The weather was perfect for the annual Brooklyn Flag Festival, June 7-9.
      There was something for everyone from the Kiwanis Chicken Dinner, races at the Brooklyn Raceway, a town parade, kid’s inflatables and games in Landes Park and the annual Ruritan Car Show on Sunday.
     On Saturday evening, a concert sponsored by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce was held at the Southside Ballfield featuring Chad Brock with special guests Tyler Richton and the High Bank Boys along with Jack Blake + South 35 Band.
        And new this year was a bridge dedication over Big Bear Creek on the north edge of town in honor of Brooklyn’s Harold “Pie” Keller.
         “Pie,” as he was called, was a life-long Brooklyn resident and 1939 graduate of Brooklyn High School. He was one of six Marines who made the trek up Mount Suribachi on Feb. 23, 1945 during the Battle of Iwo Jima and planted the American Flag at the peak. The iconic photo taken by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal, which was actually of the second flag raising, became one of the most famous images of the war.
         His identity as one of the six Marine flag barriers came 74 years after Rosenthal’s iconic photo was taken thanks to Brent Westemeyer, an amateur historian from Johnson, Iowa who discovered that the number two man was actually Harold “Pie” Keller.
      The Marine in the number two position was originally identified as Pfc. Rene A. Gagnon. According to Westemeyer, Pfc. Gagnon contributed to the flag raising, but wasn’t actually pictured.
     Westemeyer spent more than a half dozen years researching photos, reading historical books and accounts of Iwo Jima and pouring over a Bill Genaust’s film from the Battle of Iwo Jima to correctly identify “Pie.”
       Westemeyer submitted his findings to the Marines who, in October 2019, announced that the number two man was actually “Pie.”
        “It all started when I watched the movie “Flags of Our Fathers” in 2006,” said Westemeyer, who was on hand at the bridge dedication dressed in a military P41 uniform, the same uniform that “Pie” would have worn at Iwo Jima. “The bridge dedication is icing on the cake and builds on what has already been done to honor “Pie.”
        A monument to “Pie” was dedicated in June 2022 and is stationed at the Brooklyn Flag Display on Jackson Street.
      Keller’s only living daughter, Kay Maurer of Clarence, Iowa, was on hand at the bridge dedication along with her husband, Steve, to unveil the new bridge sign.
       “With the statue of dad holding his rifle and now the bridge dedication, I’m so honored and touched that Brooklyn wanted to honor my dad again,” said Kay. “Dad was a humble man and was proud of his service to the country.”
       The idea to dedicate the bridge in honor of “Pie” came about earlier this year when Ruritan members Jim Foels and his wife, Elsie, drove by the William Heitsman Memorial Bridge in Victor.
        Jim said he told Elsie, “that Brooklyn needed to do that for Harold “Pie” Keller.”
        Foels said he presented the idea to the Ruritan Club and they voted to make it a project.
      “We went to the county Board of Supervisors and county engineers office for approval,” recalled Foels. “They gave us the OK. We are happy that the signs arrived in time for the Flag Festival and we could hold the dedication.”
       Following the bridge dedication, the Brooklyn Flag Festival Parade rolled along North Street, turning south on Jackson Street and ending at the Casey’s. The parade featured fire engines from Brooklyn, Malcom and Montezuma. There were all types of business floats including a hospital, swimming pool company, bank, drug store, ball players and much more from around the area.
     After the parade, families made their way to Landes Park for a fun day playing on a variety of inflatables, games and enjoying good food served by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, who was in charge of the day’s activities.
     “We are having a blast,” said Amber Thompson of her daughter,” Havannah, 5, “It’s a nice affordable family atmosphere.”
      “It’s nice getting to see a lot of people since it’s summer,” said Autymn Scott, a BGM student who was making snow cones with Taegan Anderson and Seth Follmer at the Madison Church of Christ booth in Landes Park. “It’s nice to get to know the community.”
        Gracie Gerard, a BGM Elementary student, said her favorite part of the day was making balloon animals and having a big sword fight.
        “My New Beginnings Church is here and my dad is the pastor,” said Gerard. “We (church members) are doing face painting and it’s really fun.”
       The Brooklyn Chamber also held a bicycle drawing for new boys’ and girls’ bicycles donated by Jasper Construction. The winners were Lydia Parker, 3, for the girls’ bicycle and Karsen Gritsch, 3, for the boys’ bicycle.
       “Everyone is having fun” said Heather Ochs, with the Brooklyn Chamber. “It’s all organized and a great day.”
       “It is a massive turnout,” said Jillian Miller who was offering 4FAM herbal tea-based Nutrition drinks. “Brooklyn is a great community.”
       “I’m thankful to work with Jillian and getting to meet the members of the community,” added Jodi Roozeboom, who was helping at the nutrition booth.
          “It’s nice weather and a fun day in the park,” said Casie Smith, who was watching her daughter, Cora, 9, get her face painted.
         Abby Slater, a senior at BGM this fall, said she loves being around all the people and getting her face painted.
           “I enjoyed racing a couple kids on one of the inflatables,” she said with a smile.
When asked if she won, Slater said “no.”
          “I really enjoyed the parade and being around all the people and getting my face painted,” said Rachelle Timm, who will be a senior at BGM in the fall and a friend of Slater.
         The Brooklyn Ruritan Car Show, held in Landes Park on Sunday, June 9, featured many cars and trucks from new to classics and beyond.
         Jeff Sears and his wife, Michelle, of Grinnell were at the show with their 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport.
          “There are a lot of nice cars and good people,” said Jeff.
        Larry Weeks of Montezuma, who was joined by friends and fellow car enthusiasts, Ron Hensel and Bob Hamilton, said Landes Park is a beautiful location with nice facilities 
         Weeks brought his customized 1937 DeSoto to the show, saying that it never wins, but surprisingly he did get a top 40 award this year.
         “Not bad,” said Weeks. “It’s was a good show.”
        Rusty Clayton, who helps organize the Ruritan Car Show, said there were 163 cars and trucks on display with two from New Mexico and one from Pennsylvania.
       “Overall, this was the finest group of cars and pickups I have seen in a show of this size,” said Clayton. “We awarded 40 top winners and one best Chevrolet C10 award. The judges said it was a hard job due to so many fine entries. We are very thankful to everyone who entered and just came to look.”