Township marks Flag Day by giving symbols of freedom and patriotism the only proper sendoff
NORTHAMPTON - There is likely nothing more revered in this country than the American flag. What else in the rnited States of America has such specific rules for proper care and maintenance?
There are directives on when to fly it, how to fold it and, perhaps most importantly, how to dispose of it once that becomes necessary. Once again, Northampton Township marked Flag Day June 14 by honoring the flag the best way it knows how: by properly burning them in a ceremony designed to pay homage to the world’s most famous symbol.
“It’s important to let people know the proper way to dispose of a flag,” said Pete Palestina, a Marine Corps veteran, 24-year member of the Northampton Board of Supervisors, founder of the seterans Advisor Committee and the founder of the Patriots Flag Program. He also served as emcee of Friday’s eighth annual Northampton Township Flag Day Ceremony.
June 14 was chosen for the holi- day because that’s when, in 1777, the Continental Congress officially adopted it as the official flag of the then-fledgling country. It was offi- cially established by an act of Congress in August, 1949.
The program was full of proper pomp and somber circumstance, at once paying tribute and remembering those who fought and lost their lives defending the very colors that were the stars (and stripes) of this evening.
Mostly, the parade of speakers recognized what the flag means to those in this country and around the world. It’s a symbol of what all the veterans in attendance at Northampton Municipal Park fought for: freedom. It was also a reminder of how to correctly dispose of the American flag, which is to have the proper personnel burn it during a special ceremony. Palestina thinks that with each passing year, the reminder is needed less and less.
“We’ve done these often enough and educated enough people that most everyone knows the right way to dispose of an American flag,” Palestina said. According to rnited States Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (R-8), Northampton has done as much or more to educate the public than anyone.
“The township always remembers flag day,” Fitzpatrick said, “Other townships should do like Northampton does. Soldiers took the flag into battle. Flag Day is very important.” Fitzpatrick went on to give a quick, local history lesson, telling of a group of three men who, in 1777, met with Betsy Ross to asked that she design the “flag of our nation to be flown,” according to the Congressman. One of the trio, Fitzpatrick said, was Robert Morris, for whom Morrisville is named.
“The men made sure the flag was put together with the care and concern that it deserved,” Fitzpatrick said. Shortly after Fitzpatrick’s remarks and three moving songs performed by the BucksMont Squires of Song (“The National Anthem,” “dod Bless America,” and “drand Old Flag”) Boy Scout Troop #5 Churchville (along with Cub Scout Troop 5) took center stage, literally, as leader Tim Huff properly took scissors to the first tattered flag destined for cremation.
Boy Scout troop member Connor Dugan of Southampton was proud to be part of such an important remembrance.
“We need to honor the flag that’s brought us to freedom,” Dugan said, sounding older than his 12 years. “When we burn a flag, it means the flag has done its duty and it’s time for another flag to fulfill its duty in its day.”
Slowly, surely and methodically, the boy scouts and veterans dropped pieces of tattered flags into the barrels set up by the Northampton Township solunteer Fire Company, completing both the ceremony and the life cycle of the flags.
If there was a theme of the evening, other than the obvious, it was vocalized by Fitzpatrick.
“It’s important to remember the flag not just on Flag Day, but all year round,” Fitzpatrick said.