Rochester Elks to hold Flag Day ceremony on Monday

The ceremony briefly describes the origins of the Pine Tree Flag, the Snake Flag, the St. George flag, the Betsy Ross flag, the 20 Star flag, the 48 Star flag and the present day 50 Star flag. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - The Rochester Elks Lodge 1393 will conduct its annual Flag Day Service on Monday at 7 p.m. Flag Day is a celebration of the American flag that occurs each year on the anniversary of the flag's official adoption on June 14, 1777.

The ceremony will take place in the Lodge function hall at 295 Columbus Ave.

This is an open ceremony, and all local residents are urged to attend. The Lodge urges parents to consider bringing their school-age children to witness the historical evolution of the United States Flag, from inception to our present day flag.

The ceremony briefly describes the origins of the Pine Tree Flag, the Snake Flag, the St. George flag, the Betsy Ross flag, the 20 Star flag, the 48 Star flag and the present day 50 Star flag. The POW/MIA flag will also be presented in tribute to all those who have been prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action. These flags will be carried by members of the Rochester Emblem Club 40. A history of our nation's significant historical events and what the flag means to this country will also be presented. This is known as the "Response."

The Flag of the United States of America is formally honored by the Pledge of Allegiance. This Pledge was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy and published in "The Youth's Companion" as part of a patriotic campaign of that magazine. The Pledge did not become part of the Flag Code until 1942, and in 1954, the phrase "Under God" was added.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was the first fraternal organization to observe Flag Day. The president of the United States is authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation calling upon officials of the government to display the flag of the United States on all government buildings on such day, and urging the people to observe the day as the anniversary of the adoption on June 14, 1777, by the Continental Congress of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States of America. The importance of every single U.S. flag, and how it is displayed is keenly observed by the Elks. The Elks celebrate over 114 years of the Grand Lodge's 1907 designation of June 14 as Flag Day, which was followed in 1911 with the Order's approval for mandatory observance by all Lodges.

The Rochester Elks 1393 was chartered in 1920 and celebrated its 100th year anniversary in 2020. It currently has over 900 members and growing. The Elks are invested in many benevolent programs including youth activities, student scholarships, veterans activities, patriotism, youth drug awareness /education and community outreach for the common good. For more information about the Elks, please visit www.elks.org