The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE — Flag Day was observed in Clifton Forge Friday.
Bill Atherholt, who serves as quartermaster of Curtis A. Smith Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1033 and treasurer of Clifton Forge Main Street Inc., served as master of ceremonies.
Flag Day is celebrated annually on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that established June 14 as Flag Day; on Aug. 3, 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress
Altherholt gave an overview of Flag Day and the program that was held Friday before introducing Clifton Forge Mayor Jeff Irvine, who gave the invocation.
Irvine was followed by Dr. Jack Backels, who is a former president of Dabney S. Lancaster Community College. Backels gave a brief overview of the importance of the Alleghany Highlands to the birth of the United States.
“Were the people in this area active during the war?” Backels asked. “Yes.”
He explained that when “they decided to have an army” they sought people from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. In particular, people living in the western mountains of Virginia were recruited, as they used rifles while those living in the northern states used guns.
After Alan Dale Craft treated the crowd to a rendition of America the Beautiful, Scoutmaster Darren Honaker took to the stage to introduce a presentation of 10 historic flags of the United States.
Boy Scout Troop No. 2 of Clifton Forge, Girl Scout Troop No. 536 of Clifton Forge and Girl Troop No. 375 of Covington assisted with the presentation of the historic flags.
The Troops presented the Sons of Liberty, Bunker Hill, General George Washington, Grand Union, Betsy Ross, 15 Star, 20 Star, 34 Star, 46 Star, and 48 Star flags with Honaker giving an overview of each flag and when it was used.
Atherholt read “I Am the Flag” poem as Richard Erskine, Burnside-Carpenter VFW Post No. 4299, presented the 50 star flag.
After an explanation of the Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scout Troop No. 2, and the crowd singing the National Anthem, Grover Nicely, VFW Post No. 4299, presented the Army flag.
Atherholt explained that the U.S. Army celebrates the same birthday as “Ol’ Glory.”
The program closed with the audience singing happy birthday to “Ol’ Glory” and a closing prayer by Irvine.
The crowd was dismissed to partake in birthday cake and/or a fundraiser picnic of hot dogs, chips, and a drink in the Masonic Theatre Underground.
The Stars and Stripes Committee extended its thanks to the Masonic Amphitheatre, Irvine, Backels, Craft, Boy Scout Troop No. 2, Girl Scout Troops
No. 536, No. 375, and No. 564, and VFW Posts Nos. 4299 and 1033 for making the program possible.
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Members of Boy Scout Troop 2 from Clifton Forge, Girl Scout Troop 536 of Clifton Forge and Girl Scout Troop 375 of Covington present the 10 historic flags of the United States during a Flag Day ceremony held Friday afternoon at the Masonic Amphitheatre in downtown Clifton Forge. (Gavin Dressler Photo)
