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Frostburg Elks Schedules Flag Day Events

June 9th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

On June 14th the Frostburg Elks Lodge #470 will hold a Flag Day Ceremony at 7:00pm in honor of National Flag Day to celebrate the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777. Representatives of Frostburg Police Department, American Legion, and Boy Scout Troop 24 will participate. The ceremony is open to the public and will be held in the Elks parking lot weather permitting and otherwise inside.

Patriotism has characterized the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America since the early days of the organization. Allegiance to the flag of our country is a requirement of every member. In 1907, the BPO Elks Grand Lodge designated by resolution June 14 as Flag Day. The Grand Lodge of the Order adopted mandatory observance of the occasion by every Lodge in 1911, and that requirement continues.

The Elks prompted President Woodrow Wilson to recognize the Order's observance of Flag Day which led to a Proclamation on May 30th of 1916. But it was not until 1949 when President Harry Truman, himself a member of the Elks, signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day as a day of national observance for the symbol of our country.

In advance of Flag Day, on Saturday June 11th, the Frostburg Elks lodge will hold its annual United States Flag Retirement Ceremony, at 10am. The retirement ceremony will be conducted by officers of the Elks. The U.S. Flag Code states, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning". Members of the community who own a flag that has become torn and weathered can bring their flag to the ceremony so that it may be disposed of properly, or drop them off at the Elks.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States spends more than $80,000,000 every year for benevolent, educational and patriotic community-minded programs in such fields as benefitting physically handicapped children, sponsoring Elks National Foundation scholarships, scouting, athletic teams, veterans' works, a national "Hoop Shoot" free-throw contest involving more than 3 million children, physical and occupational therapy programs and patriotic programs. For more information on the Frostburg Elks Lodge, call (301) 689-6470 or email frostburgelks@gmail.com.

 

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