John N. Baldwin

THE NEW FLAG IN TWAIN HARTE: 2005

Ladies and gentlemen, guests, visitors to Twain Harte, and honored veterans; It will be my pleasure to introduce to you, in a few minutes, Mr. Jack Quinton and his family whose special flag will be raised this morning.

We want you to understand that many flags, which carried great sentimental value to their owners, were entered for consideration to be “the new flag.” There was no fair way, other than a drawing, to pick the one to fly. So, “thank you” to all who submitted a flag and a story. They are all beautiful and it is a shame they all cannot be chosen.

So it is, that today, we honor Navy Chief Petty Officer Clem Jackson Quinton, Jack’s father, by dedicating the Stars and Stripes which was draped over the casket of this World War II Navy Hero.

Clem Quinton was an eagle scout and an authentic naval warrior who was awarded, among many other decorations, the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in battle. He served with distinction for twenty years, including combat tours in the South Pacific on destroyers, for which he received the coveted Navy Cross, the second highest medal that can be awarded. When he was laid to rest with full military ceremonies on Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay in 1978, Jack and his family were there to honor him, and now they honor our community by donating this very special American flag to Twain Harte.

Jack treasures many memories of growing up on Cedar Ridge and experiencing the Twain Harte of fifty years ago, including fishing trips with his dad, camping by Phoenix Lake and watching sunsets from the top of the mountain. His father always wore his uniform with pride and delighted Jack when he came home from a six-month tour, to appear, unexpectedly, in Jack’s eighth grade classroom, resplendent in his dress whites.

Men and women like Chief Petty Officer Clem Quinton exemplify the very best that this country produces. He lived here and was one of us. It causes us to stop and ask the question, “Where do they get men like this?”

Please give a hearty Twain Harte welcome to Mr. Jack Quinton and his family.