Flag Day ceremony headed by local Masons in Rogers City

by Angie Asam–Staff Writer

Flags lining the sidewalk from the Liberty Torch to the gazebo and along the boardwalk at Lakeside Park were a sight to behold as the Rogers City Mason’s put on their first-ever Flag Day celebration, Saturday.

“It went very well. We had a great parade and some great speakers. The Veterans of Foreign Wars color guard, with help of the Boy Scouts, did a wonderful job at the flag -aising ceremony. All the events went well,” said mason Dave Nadolsky.

The day started with a parade from the Mariners Mall parking lot, down Third Street to Michigan Avenue and down to the sailor’s memorial at Lakeside Park where the flag raising ceremony was held. Mary Fairbanks sang “The Star Spangled Banner,” the Rev. David Greka offered invocation and mayor Tom Sobeck, Mark Thompson, executive director/curator of the Presque Isle County Historical Museum, state representative Peter Pettalia and probate judge Donald McLennan gave opening speeches.

“The city band did very well playing some patriotic songs followed by a local band until 5 p.m. when we broadcast the Huron girls’ softball game through the park,” said Nadolsky.

Nadolsky said that the food booths went well during the day especially the free ice cream cones for kids sponsored by A.J. Przybyla.

“The most impressive thing were the flags along the boardwalk. It was a solemn thing as they each had a card in memory of someone,” said Nadolsky who also

felt that people enjoyed the military uniforms of our neighbors that were on display inside the pavilion.

“Everyone really seemed to enjoy it and we plan to make it an annual event,” said Nadolsky.

Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the United States flag, which happened June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. It is also the day that the United States Army celebrates the Army’s birthday.

In 1916 president Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day and in August 1949 National Flag Day was established by Act of Congress.

Pennsylvania became the first state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday in 1937. The oldest continuing Flag Day parade is held in Fairfield, Washington and has been running, possibly missing one year, since 1909.