Flag Day Cermony is well attended and moving

The Flag Day 2003 Flag Day ceremony at the Reno Elks Lodge was a tremendous success. Nearly 200 people attended the Flag Day ceremony at the Lodge this year. The officers of the Lodge conducted the ceremony with support from the Ladies of the Reno Emblem Club #372.

Each attendee recieved a small American Flag and lyrics to patriotic songs for the sing-along which followed the ceremony.

Exalted Ruler Ross Dyer read the history of the flag while Loyal Knight, B.V. Johnson, paraded the flags as each was described. The response was read this year by Past Exalted Ruler Bill Gallegos. Returing to the Reno Elks ceremony after a year away was Past Exalted Ruler Tom Jutte who gave a passionate recitation of the poem, "I am Your Flag". Tom turned down the opportunity to be a part of the Washoe County Flag Day ceremonies this year in order to participate in the Reno Elks' ceremony.

Cheri Boskie did an excellent job of playing the organ and piano during the ceremony and sing-along of patriotic songs that immediately followed. Joan Bartek was the vocal soloist for the ceremony and lead the assembly during the sing-along.

Immediately following the Flag Day ceremonies, the Lodge hosted a free barbeque for all attendees and participants. Hamburgers and hotdogs, along with salads and deserts were provided. The salads and deserts were donated by the members and guests in attendance. Bob and Norma Duvall brought their traditional "rum cake", which was a big hit! In the end, a great time was had by all!

Flag Day has been a part of the Elks tradition since 1908, when the Grand Lodge of the BPOE decreed that Flag Day be observed annually by all subordinate Lodges. Flag Day is truly an Elks holiday. The BPOE is a distinctively American organization whose destiny is linked with that of the United States of America. The BPOE has no foreign affiliations. The flag of the United States has been adopted as emblematic of the crowning virtue of the BPOE, chairty.

The following is a set of thumbnailed images from the Flag Day ceremonies, sing-along and barbeque which followed. Hover the mouse over an image to read a caption for it, then click on the image to see a larger version of the image. Enjoy!

Members of the Reno Emblem Club greet guests at the door. The flags stand ready for the ceremony. B.V. Johnson displays the Snake Flag. B.V. Johnsom displayes the twenty star flag of 1818.
Thirteen stripes and fifty stars PER Bill Gallegos reads the Response PER Gallegos continues the Response Veterans Robert Duvall, Ensio Tosolini and Bill Dreher stand to be recognized.
Veterans Fred Mueller, Russ Terkildsen, B.V. Johnson, John Pederson among others stand to be recognized. PER Tom Jutte renders a moving poem. Tom Jutte salutes the flag with words and ideas. Uncle Dan, PER Bill Gallegos and ER Ross Dyer are pleased at Tom's words.
Eve Carter, Pat O'Shaunessey, Fred Mueller and Hazel Mueller share a patriotic moment. PER Rusty Gilmore contemplates and remembers the meaning of the flag as Sharon Gilmore smiles with the spirit of those who have given their lives for our flag. Uncle Frank Reynolds, ER Ross Dyer and Lodge Activities Coordinator Dave Pressler ready themselves for the free barbeque that followed the Flag Day ceremonies.

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