Communities honor Flag Day with ceremonies
As the nation celebrated the 241st anniversary of the Congressional resolution that set the design of the Stars and Stripes, local patriots gathered in Pottstown and Douglassville Thursday, June 14, to mark the occasion and fly our nation’s symbol in the pleasant breeze seemingly provided for the ceremonies.
In Pottstown, Andrew Monastra, the overseer of the historic Edgewood Cemetery, arranged a flagraising ceremony at noon.
“The raising of this flag, to me, is a symbol to all of the veterans that are buried here that we’re back,” Monastra said.
An “orphan cemetery” with no official owner, Monastra is the latest organizer to take on the challenge of maintaining the cemetery and improving maintenance.
“They deserve much better than this,” Monastra said. “It’s going to get better. I promise.”
“We’re not leaving you behind. We’re going to take care of you. We’re going to respect you. We want to thank you for your service.”
AnneMarie Brazunas read Henry Holcomb Bennett’s poem “The Flag Goes By.”
Monastra’s step-son Greg Seanor joined his brother, Montgomery County Deputy Sheriff’s Deputy Adam Seanor, along with fellow deputies Mike Wambold and Kasey Sapp, in a ceremony raising both the Pennsylvania and United States flags.
Several hours earlier in Douglassville, residents of Keystone Villa were treated to a ceremony and breakfast that began with the Berks County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of “America the Beautiful.”
After a few remarks from veterans on the meaning of Flag Day, Rob Kurtz, of Solid Rock Landscaping, thanked veterans at Keystone Villa as they sat beneath the flagpole where the American flag was flying high. The area just beneath the flag features a small plant bed as well as two stone benches with a stone pathway that includes both new and worn rock meant to symbolize veterans, Kurtz said, who donated his services to create the area.
“I can’t thank all of you military personnel enough for your service to our country,” said Kurtz. “You folks don’t get anywhere near the credit you deserve. We sit here a free country thanks to all of you and the rest who have served this country so bravely.”
“It’s my pleasure to do this area in honor of my father and all of you who sit here,” said Kurtz.
“The area has significant meaning. There’s red, white and blue within the display. There’s a dark border and that is in memory of all those who have served and given their lives,” he said.
“Some of the blocks have a few blemishes in them, they’re damaged a little bit. They’re those who have served and were able to come home but have been damaged, either mentally, emotionally, physically or both,” said Kurtz. “My father taught me at a young age to honor the flag and I proudly do that.”
“The flag means everything to me,” said resident James Miller. “I served in the Navy for 22 years and spent 13 years at sea. I have been all over the world, and there is simply nothing like seeing our American Flag fly. I’m proud to live somewhere that appreciates our flag the same way I do.”
Editor’s Note: This story was reported and photographed by Marian Dennis and Monica Sager. The article was written and photographed by Evan Brandt.