Charles City civic groups honor flag and country in Flag Day ceremony
By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com
The group of attendees was relatively small — only a few more than the 11 people who took part in the program — but they made up for it in their patriotism and passion for the flag at a Charles City Elks Lodge Flag Day ceremony Monday evening.
The ceremony included a proclamation read by Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Joerger, “The Star-Spangled Banner sung by Darleen Lindahl,” Pledge of Allegiance, taps played by Lyle Western and a prayer by club Chaplain Deb Carolan, along with a recitation of the significance of the American Flag by officers of Elks Lodge 418 and the history of the organization’s honoring of the flag.
Earlier in the day, almost at the crack of dawn, members of the Charles City Lions Club were out putting up flags in Central Park.
The Lions have made flags a focal point of their local club, offering a subscription service that will place American flags at homes and businesses for many holidays, putting up the flags in the park and recently remodeling and re-dedicating the flag memorial in Central Park in honor of the club’s 100th anniversary.
At the Flag Day ceremony Monday evening, Exalted Ruler Sally Mills noted that the Elks is the first and only fraternal organization to require formal observation of Flag Day. It began in 1908 by order of the Grand Lodge in Dallas.
“This unique distinction as the strongest promoter of Flag Day is most becoming of the Order of Elks,” she said. “This order is distinctly American.”
Esteemed Lecturing Knight Ryan Lindahl talked about the history of the progress of America, and how the victories of the country and that progress must be re-won by each succeeding generation.
“The greatest significance of this flag, however, lies in the influence it has in the hearts and minds of millions of people,” he read. “It has waved over the unparalleled progress of a nation in developing democratic institutions, scientific and technical knowledge, education and culture. It has served as a beacon for millions of poor and oppressed refugees abroad and stands as a promise that the under-privileged will not be forgotten,” Lindahl said.
Participants in the Elks Lodge ceremony:
- Exalter Ruler Sally Mills
- Esteemed Leading Knight Brad Sindt
- Esteemed Loyal Knight Jessica Schwickerath
- Esteemed Lecturing Knight Ryan Lindahl
- Chaplain Deb Carolan
- Esquire Ronald Munshower
- Singing the national anthem, Darleen Lindahl
- Taps, Lyle Western
- Proclamation, Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Joerger
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