ASHLAND – Ashland Elks Lodge 1360 hosted its annual Flag Day ceremony on Sunday afternoon.
The event included a presentation of flags throughout history by Cub Scout Pack 506 and a keynote address by Congressman Bob Gibbs.
While the Cub Scouts presented the colors, Lodge Exalted Ruler Ernie Weiler described the significance of each of the nine flags presented from the original Tree Flag to the current iteration of our flag with its 50 stars and 13 alternating red and white stripes.
Following the presentation of colors, Exalted Ruler Weiler covered the importance of our flag on the field of battle from our fight for Independence, through it flying defiantly at Fort McHenry in 1814 and the World Wars, to the battlefield we face around the world with our proud colors today.
The program concluded with the keynote address by Congressman Bob Gibbs (R-Lakeville).
In his remarks, Gibbs addressed the meaning of the red, white and blue on the nation’s symbol of our freedom.
Additionally, he shared a story about visiting California in the 1980s with his wife and how a giant flag was unfurled among people from all walks of life and how they all showed our nation and its flag reverence.
He remarked that was the moment he realized we had turned the corner from a time where patriotism and respect for our troops had waned to a time of increased respect for the freedoms our nation and the brave men and women who fight for those freedoms represent.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America have hosted an annual Flag Day ceremony since 1907 and it has been a required program for every Elks lodge nationwide since 1911. June 14 officially became Flag Day in 1949 through an Act of Congress signed by former Elks and President Harry Truman.
