Focusing on patriotism and community service, Thursday’s annual banquet of the Lamesa Area Chamber of Commerce saw a formal change in the organization’s leadership and a call for involvement in efforts to improve Lamesa. The theme of the sold-out event was “Proud to be an American,” with the stage inside the Forrest Park Community Center draped in red, white and blue. Both Master of Ceremonies Cris Norris and Chamber board member Harris Evans veered slightly off the written agenda in order to further the theme. Norris led the audience in the Pledge of Allegience to the U.S. Flag at the outset of the ...