Bay City Elks to Hold Flag Day Ceremony

Veteran's Memorial Park Site of Ceremony-Saturday, June 14,2014

June 11, 2014
By: Diane Szczepanski

The Bay City Elks Lodge celebrates the flag of the United States of America on Flag Day, Saturday June 14th at 5pm. The Flag Day Ceremony will be held at the Veterans War Memorial in Veterans Memorial Park, beside the river on Bay City's west side.

Participating in this year's Flag Day program will be guest speakers; Senator Mike Green and State Representative Charles Brunner; the Veterans Honor Guard; the Boy Scouts of America; music from 74th District Court Chief Justice, the Hon. Timothy J. Kelly and musical selections by the Harbor Sounds.

In harmony with the Veterans, Boat Captains, First Mates, Event Organizers, Participants and Volunteers of the 4th Annual Walleyes for Warriors Tournament; the ceremony honoring our Nation's Flag will commence at 5 P.M. in front of the Veterans War Memorial. An Ice Cream Social in the park will follow the program.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is first and foremost in requiring the formal observance of Flag Day nationwide. In July of 1908, the Grand Lodge of the Order provided for the annual observance of Flag Day on the 14th of June, by making this ceremony mandatory upon each local Lodge across the land.

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 an Act of Congress.

This unique distinction as the sturdiest advocate of Flag Day is most becoming to the Order of Elks. The Elks are distinctively American and intensely patriotic. Only American citizens are eligible for membership, as they have no foreign affiliations.

The Elks have linked their destiny with the destiny of our country. They have made our Nation's Flag its symbol of self-dedication to God, our country, our Men and Women in the Armed Forces, our Veterans and to fellow man.

All are welcome and encouraged to join the Elk's for this special ceremony on June 14th.