Some call it “Old Glory” or “the star-spangled banner,” but either way, the American flag is a symbol of national pride.
On Wednesday morning, Seymour Elks Lodge 462 hosted its annual Flag Day ceremony complete with a history of the U.S. flag. The event was held at the lodge located above Brewskies Downtown in Seymour.
Elks Chaplain Ray Brewer gave the invocation, followed by the National Anthem, sung by Monica Kriete. Then all attendees at the ceremony joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
The event featured members of the Seymour Young Marines, who served as flagbearers, and Seymour Fire Chief Brad Lucas, who stood in for Mayor Matt Nicholson and issued a proclamation.
Lucas spoke about how the first official flag of the United States was adopted June 14, 1777, by an act of Congress. In 1949, Congress designated National Flag Day, which was to be celebrated on June 14 each year.
“Flag Day celebrates our nation’s symbol of unity and stands for our country’s devotion to freedom and equal rights for all,” Lucas said as he read the mayor’s proclamation designating June 14, 2023, as Flag Day in the city.
The Seymour Young Marines presented the history of the American flag, showcasing eight different versions. One member could not be present at the ceremony, so Don Hill, past Indiana Elks Americanism chairman, served as flagbearer for the present flag.
“The symbol of the flag that represents our country has gone through many forms, and it has changed just as our country has changed,” lodge member and Past Exalted Ruler Jim Erp said. “Americans have lived and died under these many flags, and each holds an important place in the history of our country.”
As the flags were presented, Erp talked about the history behind them, from the yellow Don’t Tread on Me flag featuring the image of a rattlesnake to the current 50-star flag featuring 13 stripes.
The lodge has held a Flag Day ceremony for many years, and patriotism has characterized the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks since the early days of the lodge, which was chartered in Seymour in 1899.
Allegiance to the American flag is a requirement of every member. The Grand Lodge of the Order adopted mandatory observance of Flag Day on June 14 by every lodge in 1911, a requirement that continues to this day.
In 1949, President Harry Truman, himself a member of the Elks, made a proclamation that June 14 would be a day of national observance for the symbol of our country, according to elks.org.
Each year, the president issues a proclamation calling for the observance of Flag Day and for the display of the American flag on all federal government buildings. The president also issues an annual proclamation designating the week in which June 14 occurs as National Flag Week, calling upon all U.S. citizens to display the flag during that week.
Korean War veteran Paul Richart, who attends the event every year, was at Wednesday’s ceremony and said he appreciated the Seymour Young Marines taking part in the event.
“It’d be nice if there were more young people taking an interest,” Richart said.
Seymour Elks Lodge 462 officer Mike Crouch said Don Hill saw the Seymour Young Marines conducting a flag program at Riverview Cemetery on Memorial Day.
“After that, Don reached out to their leader, Shawn Riley, and asked if the group could participate in our Flag Day ceremony,” Crouch said.
Young Marines is a national youth program for boys and girls ages 8 through high school graduation focused on leadership, citizenship through community service, self-discipline and living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
Kyra Sizemore, mother of Young Marine Stephanie Singer, said the leaders within the organization have been positive male role models, which she believes has been good for her daughter.
“Since Stephanie has joined, she has learned so much about commitment, the importance of being on time and keeping things clean and orderly,” Sizemore said. “Her grades have come up, and she made the honor roll.”
Singer is an incoming freshman at Seymour High School and hopes to go into the field of criminology someday so she can help local law enforcement.
“I’m so glad to be a part of the Young Marines, and it has taught me a lot about discipline and responsibility,” she said. “I’ve learned that I can make a difference in the community.”