SAUGUS — At the Saugus-Everett Elks Lodge, the annual Flag Day celebration was held.
You wouldn’t know that outside it was gloomy, as inside of the Elks Lodge, Residents celebrated Flag Day with appreciation and glee.
The celebration was filled with joyous laughter and smiles all around from residents and veterans from various engagements and branches of the armed forces who came to the event.
Flag Day, which commemorates the adoption of the American flag in 1777, was designated as a holiday to be celebrated on June 14 1916 by then-President Woodrow Wilson, and was established officially by Congress in 1949.
Although for some, it may be overshadowed by holidays like the Fourth of July, residents of Saugus were certain to celebrate a holiday which champions an important piece of our American history.
As those in attendance chatted, “God Bless The U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood played over the speakers on the top floor of the Saugus-Everett Elks Lodge, and soon, the chatter turned to whispers, and then silence, as the officers of the Elks Lodge began their opening statements.
Esteemed Leading Knight George Perry was asked to recite one of the fraternal aims of the Elks:
“To uphold our country and its laws, and to quicken the spirits of American Patriotism,” Perry said.
Soon after, members of Boston Irish Pipes and Drums bounded into the room with bagpipes and drums playing traditional marching music.
Esteemed Lecturing Knight Jillian Perry led the room in the “Star Spangled Banner,” and many wore a reverent expression on their faces in honor of the flag.
William “Bill” G. Pothier came to the lectern to share the history of the American flag.
As Pothier explained the history of our flag, Boy Scouts from Troop 62 made their way towards the front of the room, each one holding a different flag that at one point in the country’s past — was used to represent it.
A particularly interesting fact that Pothier covered in his historical speech regarding the flag was the first salute to our flag, which he said occurred on February 14 1778 in France.
As the event closed with the Pledge of Allegiance and more music from Boston Irish Pipes and Drums, many wiped tears from their faces, emotional as the flag represents so much for so many in the country.
