The Antelope Valley Times

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A salute to Old Glory!

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Flag Day 2013 1

PALMDALE – A crowd of about 50 gathered at Poncitlán Square in Palmdale Friday morning for an hour-long ceremony in honor of the nation’s flag.

Organized by the Antelope Valley Service Organization Association (AVSOA), the annual Flag Day ceremony commemorates the anniversary of the adoption in 1777 of the official U.S. flag.

“The flag, the symbol, what does it represent? The unity in America, it represents the unity in our community,” said Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford.

The flag represents unity in our community, said Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford.
The flag represents unity in our community, said Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford.

“As a community, we have an obligation to step up through these kinds of events,” Ledford continued. “It’s not for us. It’s for the people who serve our nation, the people who put their lives on the line to protect what this flag represents.”

The Antelope Valley Flag Day Ceremony included a special invocation by Chaplain Gary Bassett of Richard K. Carlson VFW Post 3552; the posting of colors by Highland High School Air Force JROTC; and the singing of the National Anthem by Kim Powell.

Phil Roberts of The Retired Enlisted Association led the audience in singing “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” and Viola Lawrence of the Daughters of the American Revolution recited a poem titled, “Arthur MacArthur’s Flag.”

Chaplain Bassett ended the program with comments on the poem “The Defense of Baltimore.”

Sights from Flag Day 2013

Bobby Breech, Chairman of AVSOA, served as Master of Ceremonies.
Bobby Breech, Chairman of AVSOA, served as Master of Ceremonies.
About 50 residents attended the event.
About 50 residents attended the event.
Kim Powell sang the National Anthem.
Kim Powell sang the National Anthem.
Phil Roberts of The Retired Enlisted Association led the audience in singing “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
Phil Roberts of The Retired Enlisted Association led the audience in singing “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
Viola Lawrence of the Daughters of the American Revolution recited a poem titled “Arthur MacArthur’s Flag.”
Viola Lawrence of the Daughters of the American Revolution recited a poem titled “Arthur MacArthur’s Flag.”
Highland High School Air Force JROTC conducted a Folding of the Flag ceremony.
Highland High School Air Force JROTC conducted a Folding of the Flag ceremony.
Chaplain Bassett ended the program with comments on the poem “The Defense of Baltimore.”
Chaplain Bassett ended the program with comments on the poem “The Defense of Baltimore.”
The ceremony was began at 11 a.m., Friday, June 14 in Poncitlan Square.
The ceremony began at 11 a.m., Friday, June 14 in Poncitlan Square.

The next AVSOA event will be the POW/PIA Remembrance Day ceremony, scheduled for Friday, Sept. 20 at Poncitlan Square. For more information about AVSOA, contact Legacy Commons for Active Seniors at 661-267-5904.

Filed Under: Lancaster