Today is the 246th anniversary of the Continental Congress adopting the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the United States of America on June 14, 1777.
Pulaski Street Intermediate School celebrated Old Glory yesterday with its annual Flag Day ceremony hosted by the Daughters of the American Revolution on at the base of the flagpole near the War Memorial on the lawn of the school.
Pulaski Street Principal Patrick Burke opened up the ceremony, welcoming the fifth-grade class, members of the DAR, a contingent from the Windcrest East Veterans group in Calverton, and Riverhead Town Historian Georgette Case.
Suffolk DAR Regent Ann Otten led the ceremonies. She explained the history of the U.S. flag, its origins, and 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.
A Riverhead High School NJROTC color guard, presented the colors and unit cadets demonstrated how the flag is folded, during a flag-folding ceremony. Members of the DAR recited the symbolic meaning of each fold made during the solemn ceremony.
Students sat attentively and quietly during the ceremonies, drawing praise and appreciation from Otten and Burke.
Several students brought in flags from home that are no longer in display condition — flags that are torn, tattered, frayed or faded — and placed them in a basket. The Windcrest East Veterans will bring the flags to Calverton National Cemetery for proper disposal.
Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the American flag. Though it is not an official federal holiday, it has been observed since at least the Civil War era. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation establishing June 14 as Flag Day. In August 1946, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Denise Civiletti
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