The history of the American flag was the topic of the day at ceremonies outside Pulaski Street School yesterday, where the Suffolk Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution helped students celebrate the 240th birthday of the flag.
The Suffolk DAR chapter conducts Flag Day ceremonies for fifth graders at the school each year.
Yesterday’s ceremonies, which got off to a delayed start due to the early morning rain, took place outside the school at the base of its flag pole.
“This is a history lesson about our flag,” Pulaski Street principal Dave Densieski told the fifth-graders, who implored them to listen “very, very carefully” to learn the history behind the flag and the meaning of its elements.
Suffolk DAR regent Ann Otten led the ceremonies, which included the presentation of the colors by the Riverhead High School NJROTC color guard, the Pledge of Allegiance and a demonstration and explanation of the flag-folding ceremony.
“George Washington said the flag stands for the dignity, honor and protection of all who love liberty,” Otten said.
Otten reviewed the origins of the flag and told students about how the design of the flag evolved — from the Grand Union Flag prior to the Revolutionary War, to the flag reportedly designed by Betsy Ross, to the 15-stripe flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star Spangled Banner,” to the flag Americans salute today.
“Our flag has had many firsts in its life,” said Otten, who described how the flag was first flown around the world and on the moon.
It is “our country’s symbol of ideals that are meant to last,” she said.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Denise Civiletti
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