Flag Day tradition continues thanks to Laughlin member

  • Published
  • By Gaby Jimenez
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Flag Day is just around the corner and a formal ceremony is scheduled to take place June 18 at the San Felipe Country Club at 2 p.m. A posting of the colors will recognize the flag and what it stands for.

The Elks will be hosting the event. For this occasion, the Elks show the different United States flags that evolved through time and briefly inform the crowd on their history. Flags that need to be retired are burned formally.

"The Flag Day ceremony is a wonderful way to show appreciation for the U.S. flag. Even though it is a formal procedure that performs serious activities, it's a way of getting the people of our community to come together and enjoy being patriotic while showing respect for the flags of the U.S.," said Steve Rosalez, chairman of the Elks organization and a member of the 47th Maintenance Directorate.

Rosalez attended the ceremony for two years as a spectator and decided he wanted to be more involved. He now takes part in the actual ceremony. Rosalez clears the areas around highways and fences nearby a few days before the occasion and spends a couple of days decorating to prepare for the event.

Rosalez takes pride in preparing for the occasion and believes that every aspect of the ceremony is important, from the beginning to the end. Rosalez collects the flags that are to be retired, and he helps make sure everything runs smoothly. Even though it can be a lot of work, Rosalez says he enjoys what he does because of the satisfying feeling of giving back to the community.

"We hope to spark patriotism in the people that come out to take part in this ceremony and it's a great feeling when we see how many people of our community come out together to show their appreciation," said Rosalez.

He said he likes to see that people of all ages watch the event, especially the youth because after all, they are the future leaders of the country.

Laughlin's 47th Security Force Squadron will also take part in the ceremony. Afterwards, the Airmen are thanked for their service and are welcomed to eat while a fundraiser takes place for community members. Normally, Flag Day takes place June 14, but to get the most people to attend the event as possible, Rosalez contracted a waiver in order to allow the event to be on a Saturday.

"More people will be likely to show up if it takes place on a weekend," he said.

Rosalez said when he sees all the people attending the event smile, it makes all the work and time he puts into the event worthwhile. He feels pleased to see so many smiles in the crowd.

The major message Rosalez hopes to get across to the community is that proper care and respect of our national colors should be commemorated proudly and correctly. He said he hopes the sense of pride he feels while performing the ritual comes across to the community so that every person will feel the same unity and patriotism for their country he does.

For additional information, contact the Elks at (830) 775-2133.