The Johnston Senior Center was filled with red, white and blue balloons, flowers and American flags last Thursday at the annual Flag Day ceremony.
The Tri-Country Elks Lodge No. 14 in Warwick conducted the ceremony for the fourth consecutive year.
“We invite the Elks every year,” said Executive Director Tony Zompa. “This Flag Day ceremony is such a moving experience to see the history of our flag. It’s something everyone should see, especially the way the Elks present the ceremony.”
All Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodges are required to conduct a Flag Day ceremony. The Elks, according to Lodge 14 Exalted Ruler Donna Warner, have held Flag Day ceremonies since the Grand Lodge adopted mandatory observance by every Lodge in 1911.
Last week, Warner headed a delegation of 16 Tri-County Elks Lodge No. 14 members. Officers read passages from the formal script and nine flag bearers marched into the multi-purpose room carrying the different types of flags, beginning with the Pine Tree flag of 1775 and ending with the stars and stripes of today’s American flag.
“We enjoy doing this ceremony for the Senior Center,” said Warner, who is in her second term as exalted ruler.
Warner, who lives in Warwick and works for the Catholic Diocese of Rhode Island, said that Joe Martini made the ceremony special by providing music to go along with the readings.
Martini, a former member of the Tri-County Lodge who lives in Warwick and has since transferred his membership to West Warwick’s Lodge, is a DJ known for his collection of oldies and knowledge of music through the ages.
Warner also complimented Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena for his “outstanding remarks concerning Flag Day. And he’s right: people need to know more about our flag.”
“We live in the best country in the world. We have our freedoms, but people need to understand what Flag Day really is and means,” Polisena said.
The mayor was dressed in a navy blue suit and star spangled necktie, and related a story of how his day started at a local restaurant where he was having his morning’s coffee.
“Almost as soon as I sat down, the waitress commented about my necktie,” Polisena said. “She went on to ask me what the tie was for and what does it mean.”
Guests at Thursday’s Flag Day ceremony learned things they never knew about the flag.
“The progression of the different flags was entertaining and educational,” Zompa said. “It’s something people should see firsthand. For those who missed today’s celebration, they should put June 14, 2013 on their calendar. Again, seeing how our flag started and the reasons why is special; just like the Elks Lodge members who came here today.”
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