Manning at the TOP!!!

Manning has a very long and patriotic history starting with the McPherson Post 33, G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) in 1882. The McPherson hall was a wooden building that once stood at the location before the block building called "Loucks Apartments" was constructed (now where Joe Hinners lives in 2010).

Here is a September 28, 1882, Manning Monitor article referencing that post.
Dedication of Hall. The new hall, commonly known as Cook's Hall, has been leased by McPherson Post No. 33, G.A.R and will be dedicated to the use of the Post October 8, 1882, with appropriate services. Good speakers will be in attendance and music will be furnished for the occasion. The dedication exercised will open at 3 p.m. and will be concluded with a grand ball in the evening, to all of which the public is most cordially invited. The program will appear in due time. The admission to the ball room will be one dollar per couple. --END--

This April 23, 1891, Manning Monitor article refers to the Manning Woman's Relief Corp which was an auxiliary to the G.A.R.
A FLAG PRESENTATION. On Friday (tomorrow) afternoon McPherson Post and the Woman's Relief Corps will present the school of Manning with a large and beautiful flag and arrangements have been perfected to make it an imposing affair. The Post and Corps will arrive at the school house at 2 o'clock and proceed to the high school room. After invocation by Rev. I.M. O'Flyng, the Post, Corps, and schools will march out and take position about the steps. A number of recitations and patriotic songs will be tendered. The presentation of the flag will be made by Mrs. O'Flyng, President of the Corps; and accepted by Miss Garrett, Principal of the schools. "America" will then be sung by the entire assemblage, after which the flag will be raised by the Post. The exercises will be very interesting and all citizens who possibly can should attend. Long may the flag wave. --END--

Manning's service record:
1 Manning citizen served in the War of 1812
38 served in the Civil War
1 served in the Indian War
2 served in the Spanish American War
224+ served during WWI
550+ served during WWII
87+ served in the Korean war era
65+ (more names need to be found) served in the Vietnam era
55+ (many more names need to be found) served from 1975 to present
MOST IMPORTANTLY 25 Manning citizens paid the ultimate price with their lives defending the U.S. Flag.