- Last Updated on Friday, 29 July 2016 00:14
The Monongahela Elks Lodge #455 held their annual Flag Day service at Chess Park on June 14.
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| Flag day at Chess Park - Monongahela |
The program was led by #455's exalted ruler James Manges, Sr. and his officers. James Hianes, Jr. sang our national anthem and led the singing of 'God Bless America.' Reading the history of the flag was Aquilla Hilling, District Deputy Designate of Uniontown Lodge #370, and reading the response was Mark McHugh, District Deputy Grand Exaled Ruler of the Southwest District and Canonsburg Lodge #846. The guest speaker was Master Sargent Philip H. Gilbert of the USAF, who spoke of his tours of duty and present duty in Pittsburgh.
Many groups participated, including: Mon Valley Honor Guard, Mon Valley Leather Necks, Mon Valley Shipmates, American Legion Posts 949, 613, 302, VFW Post 1409, and Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts from Ringgold, to name a few.
A message was read from the mayor of Monongahela regarding the Monongahela Elks' involvement in the community.
After the service, all were invited to the Monongahela Elks Lodge for a dinner, where over 100 veterans, members of the community, and Lodge members were served.
The B.P.O. Elks Grand Lodge established Flag Day in 1907 and designated June 14 each year as the day we honor the flag. in 1947 President Harry Truman, a member of the Elks, made a proclamation that hereafter June 14 would be a day of national observance for the symbol of our country.
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