The City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County are throwing a patriotic party of sorts to celebrate the Star Spangled Banner.
June 14th is Flag Day, a national holiday commemorating the adoption of the stars and stripes in 1777. In the city, a "
Day Of Freedom And Honor" program will pay respect to our country and those who have served under Old Glory.
Flag Day event organizer and Downtown Business Association chair Bob Stroh said, "It's recognition for the flag, but more importantly, for the armed forces and the folks that help us all every day and make sure that we're safe and sound and who put their time and energy and lives on the line for all of us."
The ceremony will start at 6:30 P.M. at the NTelos Wireless Pavilion. Area boy scouts and color guards will help post the flag and lead the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by some patriotic songs from Charlottesville Voter Registrar Sheri Iachetta. Brigadier General Thomas E. Ayres will address the crowd with a key note message.
Another highlight of the event is recognizing those serving our country. New recruits will be sworn in, and current men and women in service, as well as veterans of all armed services, will be presented with pins. Families of those folks in uniform will also be recognized during the event.
The Charlottesville Municipal Band will wrap up the Flag Day festivities with a performance.
It wouldn't be a true celebration without plenty of red, white, and blue cake. Stroh says there will be at least a dozen to cut, so there should be plenty to go around.
"It really is a chance for the community to just spend a little time in a more formal way thinking about what that flag means to all of us, and we think it's really important," Stroh said.
Stroh also encourages people to come out early. Those who come out will receive dog tags and free flags.
This is the third year a Flag Day ceremony has been held in downtown Charlottesville.
