FRACKVILLE - Members of Frackville Elks Lodge 1533 held its annual Flag Day program on Sunday in its parking lot in order to honor the American flag.
Despite a few sprinkles of rain, the patriotic program was not interrupted as the public learned the history of the flag from its earliest forms to the present 50-star banner. It is a requirement of all member lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks to annually honor the American flag in a public ceremony on or near Flag Day on June 14.
After the singing of the national anthem, with music accompaniment by Drew Yeselski on keyboard, the public was welcomed by lodge Exalted Ruler Mikki Kaufman.
"Members, guests and distinguished guests, and American Legion members, the purpose of this service is to honor our country's flag, to celebrate the anniversary of its birth, and to recall the achievements attained beneath its folds," Kaufman said. "It is quite appropriate that such a service should be held by the Order of Elks, an organization that is distinctively American, intensely patriotic and without counterpart."
A prayer was offered by Frackville lodge Chaplain Jeannie Tyrrell, who is also the state chaplain.
Esteemed Leading Knight William Mack read the history of the evolution of the American flag.
"Heraldry is as old as the human race. The carrying of banners has been a custom among all peoples in all ages," Mack said. "These banners usually contain some concept of the life or government of those who fashion them. The evolution of the American flag marks the progression of the government of the American people."
Mack first spoke of the Pine Tree Flag of 1775, which was adopted for all colonial vessels, and this was the banner carried by the Continental forces in the Battle of Bunker Hill. At various points in the history, a flag of that time was walked out onto the lot by members of Frackville Boy Scout Troop 789 and Cub Scout Pack 790. The Pine Tree Flag was first, followed by the Snake Flag used by the southern colonies from 1776 to 1777.
The next flag described and brought out for display was the one considered by the Continental Congress in 1775 that include 13 red and white stripes, with a blue field with the red cross of St. George and the white cross of St. Andrew. It was only used on naval vessels, but was the first American flag to receive a salute of honor.
"It is generally believed that in May or June of 1776, a committee consisting of George Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross commissioned Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia Quakeress, to make a flag from a rough design they left with her. It is said that she suggested that the stars should have five points, rather than six," Mack said as a Cub Scout walked the famous flag with a ring of stars to the lot.
The fifth flag displayed was the one approved by Congress in 1818 that set the stripes at 13 and having one star for every state. The last flag displayed was the 50-star flag, the last change being in 1959 with two stars representing Alaska and Hawaii.
The program had two guest speakers, the first being American Legion District 13 of Pennsylvania Commander Mary Zelonis, a 20-year Army veteran.
"Today we not only honor the flag of our great country, but also what it symbolizes. We're honoring freedom," Zelonis said. "We're honoring the freedom to worship as we please, to speak as we please, and to vote as we please. We are honoring the hardworking men and women who made this the greatest and most successful county that the planet has every known. Flag Day is America's day."
Zelonis said the American Legion continues its efforts to have the U.S. Congress adopt a Constitutional amendment or other legislation that will protect the American flag from desecration.
The second guest speaker was state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29. He spoke of learning the importance of honoring the American flag while as a Boy Scout, and how through the years he discovered that other countries do not have the ceremonies Americans do to honor their respective flags.
"How proud we can be as Americans on days like this to honor our flag and remember that not every country has that same history. Not every country has that same tradition," Argall said.
Argall mentioned a book called "Dead Run," written by Radu "Rudy" Gherghel, Orwigsburg, a Romanian immigrant who learned first hand of the dangers of Communism, which his book deals with and how important it is to protect liberty and freedom at all times.
"That's why we're today - not just to honor a flag, but to honor what it represents," Argall said. "Today, we remember people like Rudy Gherghel, who literally escaped bullets. Had he been captured, there was a very good chance he would have been killed. What his family's terrible offense? Why did he have to leave communist Romania? It was because his grandfather was a priest, and the priest didn't get along with the local communist boss, and that's when Rudy began to listen to Radio Free Europe with his grandma in the closet in the 1940s and 1950s."
Concluding his talk, Argall said, "As Mary (Zelonis) said, God bless America and God bless the people who protect us every day."
A rifle salute was provided by the American Legion Post 398, Frackville, followed by the playing of Taps. Members of the Legion Auxiliary also attended as a group.
The Elks welcomed everyone into the lodge for food and refreshments after the program.