CROTHERSVILLE — “I can’t think of anything better to be proud of this month,” said Andrew Smith, a U.S. Army veteran honored on Thursday evening during opening ceremony for the 48th annual Crothersville Red, White and Blue Festival.

There was no shortage of the nation’s colors as American flags decorated the school grounds and festivalgoers were dressed in their best festival wear featuring the three vibrant colors representing freedom.

Every year, the festival occurs around Flag Day, which is June 14, in this small Jackson County community to honor those in the military that have sacrificed their lives for freedom of their fellow Americans.

“We always try to honor a veteran. It’s a tradition that we are trying to keep going,” said festival committee member, Katie Masters.

Erica Gorbett, another member of the festival committee, said it is just one small way to show appreciation for those that have risked their lives serving the United States.

Masters started the opening ceremonies with a brief history surrounding the festival, which was started in 1976 as a local observance of the nation’s bicentennial.

Masters said she believed the festival is the longest continuous celebration from that time.

The holiday traces it roots back to when the United States approved the design for the first nation’s flag in 1777.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day and then in 1949 the U.S. Congress permanently established the celebration as a national holiday.

Not only does this festival celebrate the birth of the county’s flag, but those that have risked and lost their own lives defending it.

“As you enjoy this year’s Red, White and Blue Festival, also remember those who are currently serving and those heroes that are no longer with us,” Masters said. “Today we also honor all our veteran who unselfishly served or have served to ensure our freedom.”

This year, Crothersville honored Smith for his four years of service with the United States Army.

The Crothersville graduate joined the Army in 1989 as part of the military intelligence core group. He completed his basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, before spending time in Augsburg, Germany, for two years.

In Germany, he became close with the people he served alongside with calling them heroes.

“I wouldn’t call myself a hero, but I served with a lot of heroes,” he said. “It’s good for the community to remember and honor our veterans not just this month, but all year.”

After Germany, Smith spent some time in Virginia and Kuwait before finishing his service in 1993.

Smith then taught science for 12 years at Crothersville High School and at the middle school.

He is now team member for Aisin. He’s also lifetime member and senior vice commander of the Crothersville Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 1083. He said he appreciates the community coming out to support the veterans during this time.

“The freedom we enjoy is extremely special, and that is why we must defend it,” Masters said. “Now is the time for each of us to take part in protecting it. We must remember that the defense of freedom is not just for those in the military.

“Each of us here shares that duty and that responsibility. We must work together to ensure that everyone feels the benefits of freedom.”

She then offered a moment of silence for those who have lost their lives and the families of those veterans as well.

Masters and members of Crothersville Boy Scout Troop 522 presented a flag-folding demonstration while also explaining the meaning behind each flag.

With the first fold being a symbol of life and ending with the 13th fold with the stars uppermost reminding Americans of the national motto, “In God We Trust.”

Following the flag-folding demonstration, Albert Stormes offered a prayer to the community.

“While we start out a week of remembering those that have served, those we have lost and those that are still serving, we remember the freedom they gave us,” he said.

Smith was given a plaque to honor his service as the community cheered and applauded him.

After the kick-off ceremony, the festival prince and princess contest, sponsored by Crothersville FFA, was conducted. Kids from third to fifth grade were in the running, and the winners were based on the most money raised in recent weeks.

This year’s prince is third-grader, Hayden Fink of Crothersville and the princess is third-grader, Blayklee Toler of Crothersville.

Overall, the 12 contestants from Crothersville Elementary School raised $5,771.36. Half will go to the Crothersville FFA Toy and Food Drive that’s conducted each year around Christmastime, and the other half will go back to the festival.