Hometown Rankin - June & July 2017

A Field & Club of Heroes
Camille Anding
Betsy Ross, a seamstress in Philadelphia
in 1776, made it into the history books
as the maker of the first American flag.
However, her actual involvement in its
development is highly debated.
No official records or documents
place her with the first American flag
across her lap, but there’s ample
evidence that the Exchange Club of
Crossgates has honored and celebrated
our national flag and the patriots who
gave their lives for the freedom Ole
Glory represents.
Let me introduce this special club.
The National Exchange Club is the only
service organization that exclusively
serves communities in the United States
and Puerto Rico. Volunteers use their
talents and time to benefit their local
communities and their country. Their
core values are basic: family, community,
and country.
Exchange members are involved in
activities and programs that benefit youth,
promote pride in our country, and honor
military and public service providers.
The Exchange’s National Project is the
prevention of child abuse.
The Exchange Club of Crossgates is
our local chapter and carries out
enormous accomplishments with their
small band of twelve members, men
and women.
Their first major goal was to provide a
park for children close to the community.
They purchased 12.5 acres of land from
Tom Underwood in 1978 to create a
youth sports complex. It is adjacent to
I-20 at Woodgate Drive South. It’s been
the home park for the Brandon Soccer
Organization since its inception and was
named after the club’s first president,
Frank Bridges.
68 • June 2017