75.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesSmall Group Marks Flag Day in Christiansted

Small Group Marks Flag Day in Christiansted

June 14, 2007 — Legionnaires and members of the public celebrated the 230th birthday of the U.S. flag Thursday at the Myron G. Danielson Post No. 85 American Legion Hall in Christiansted.
Less than 25 people attended the Flag Day event, nearly all of them members of Post 85.
"We always start on time, and I started a little late to give latecomers a chance to get here,” said Cmdr. Amos L. Sealey. “To tell the truth, I'm embarrassed by the low turnout. We have almost 150 members, and at our regular meetings we usually have at least 40 members in attendance."
Sealy led the call to attention, followed by the invocation given by Chaplin Bertram Charles. First Vice Cmdr. Audrey Abbott led the Pledge of Allegiance, after which Adjutant Raphael Munchez gave a history of Flag Day.
The occasion was first celebrated in 1877, the centennial of the American flag’s existence. Many citizens and organizations advocated the adoption of a national day of commemoration for the U.S. flag. President Harry Truman signed legislation in 1949 making Flag Day a day of national observance.
"The flag represents all that we cherish,” said Melbourne Clark, commander from Puerto Rico. “It's a precious symbol of freedom."
Portions of the poem “I am the Flag” were read by Audrey Abbott, 1st Vice Commander; Roman Cruz Secundino, Commander of Post 102; and Curtis Williams, Commander of Post 133.
The senior army advisor to the V.I. National Guard, Lt. Col. Willie L. Davis, gave a 332nd U.S. Army birthday message.
"Freedom is not free,” he said. “Since the American Revolution, soldiers have put their boots to the ground to fight for freedom. The army has always existed to field forces for victory."
The celebration continued with a march to the flagpole in front of the Legion Hall with a ceremonial lowering of the U.S. flag. The comrades then marched to the backyard of the hall, where a flag-disposal ceremony took place.
First Vice Cmdr. Audrey Abbott, substitute Sgt. at Arms Monroe Edwards and 2nd Vice Cmdr. Francisco Morales checked the boxes of flags collected. They made the recommendation that, since the flags were unusable, they be taken out of service and destroyed honorably.
"They have done their duty and they are ready to be respectfully burned," Sealy said. Edwards then lit the four boxes of faded and torn flags collected over the past two years. The flags to be burned had flown over Government House, cemeteries, courthouses and local businesses. Charles gave the benediction and participants sang "God Bless America" as the flags continued to burn.
A red, white and blue birthday cake was also served for the U.S. flag’s birthday celebration.
People can drop off flags for proper disposal at the Legion Post at Hospital Street, Sealy said. For hours that flags may be dropped off, call 773-0345.
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.