 Well the Bemidji American Legion's namesake was honored over the weekend and this week's community spotlight our Josh Peterson shows us how an honored tradition and legacy continues to live on. It was a scene similar to Memorial Day but only this scene played out on August 12th. The day that marks the end of a life but honors an ongoing legacy. Each year the Bemidji American Legion post that bears the name of Ralph Gracie honors its namesake as a way to never forget the first soldier that was killed in combat from Bemidji. Ralph Gracie by all accounts was a very fine young man he graduated from Bemidji High School. Ralph is the price we had to pay for that he and this war. Gracie can be considered a pioneer flying with the American 17th Arrow Squadron with the British Royal Air Force in World War I. For a young man with a rural upbringing high flying adventures called his name. Ralph was doing that he was doing all kinds of loopy loop things and it just surprised all of us that in such a short time they got such ability with airplanes. Flight records and personal letters from Gracie document his tour of duty leading all the way up to his final flight. At the young age of only 25 years old a young Ralph Gracie made the ultimate sacrifice unknowing at the time the legacy he would leave behind. He's representative of the post of the Legion in Bemidji of the things we do in his name. While leaving a legacy he also leaves a story of inspiration like so many others who have given everything for the love of their country. Ralph is a symbol in a way in addition to being our namesake a symbol for all others who have paid the price of their life. With traditions like this and saluting Bemidji's first fallen soldier the Ralph Gracie American Legion hopes that his story will continue to live on with this week's community spotlight in Bemidji. Josh Peterson, Lakeland News. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland news please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.