The raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima is one of the most enduring images in history and serves as the pivotal moment in ”Flags of Our Fathers,” from DreamWorks Pictures.

VFW may stand for Veterans of Foreign Wars, but it really stands for much more. The presence of such an area at the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo (DCFR) is both informational and humbling.

For the last seven years, the VFW area has been a part of the DCFR in between the Sheep Barn and the food court. Bob Cusick, a coordinator of the area, has been involved for the last several years and helps man the booth and answer questions for fairgoers.

As a Vietnam veteran with the Marine Corps himself, Cusick understands the importance of featuring such a booth at the fair.

“I’ll have elements from all the different organizations: American Legions, Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans (DAV),” Cusick said. “Plus I’ll have personnel from the Veterans Support Center in case anyone needs counseling or wants information about counseling.”

Last year, the VFW area was able to secure a travelling half-scale Vietnam veteran wall, a huge accomplishment and an even bigger reminder of those who have served. This year, fairgoers can expect to find a plethora of information about the veterans organizations, counseling for PTSD for themselves or a family member, representatives from the various military branches, the Red Cross. The National Guard will also be on hand with some equipment.

The exposure that this brings to the different veterans organizations in Central Oregon is a large part of why the DCFR donated this area to the VFW in the first place. There will also be an opportunity to sign up for a membership through these various organizations.

“Primarily, it’s just to let the public know what we’re doing here in the veterans organization in the local area,” Cusick said. “Come down and say hello.”