Flag Day ceremonies held in Greene County
Pictured (l. to r.): Greg Sova aids his father Donald “Sarge” Sova along with his brother Shawn Sova as “Sarge” is presented with a citation on behalf of state Rep. Pam Snyder (D-Jefferson) honoring him for his 22 years of service in the U.S. Army by his great-nephew Ryan Belski during Flag Day ceremonies Friday at the Carmichaels VFW Post 3491. (Photo by Cindy Lee Cumpston)
Cumberland American Legion Post 400 Commander Bill Ross is presented one of the many flags which have become faded and worn in a tribute of service and love to be fittingly destroyed for retiring by Adjutant Bill Varesko during Flag Day ceremonies. (Photo by Cindy Lee Cumpston)
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress approved the design of a national flag and in 1949 President Harry Truman signed into law legislation designating that date as the national Flag Day.
Prior to when President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation in 1916 establishing a national Flag Day on June 14, many localities and a few states had been holding Flag Day celebrations.
Many communities, like Carmichaels, held special services honoring the 236th birthday of “Old Glory” and the 238th birthday of the United States Army, both of which are June 14.
The Carmichaels Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3491 held a combined ceremony on Friday in honor of both events. Senior Vice Commander Dan Speelman conducted the changing of the flag ceremony performed annually on Flag Day retiring the flag which has been in service at the Post for the past year and raising a new replacement flag.
Bill Hess presented a very informative history of the birth of the U.S. Army on June 14, 1775
Hess said when the American Revolution broke out; the revolutionaries fielded an amateur force of colonial troops, cobbled together from various New England militia companies. The American volunteers had no unified chain of command and were led, equipped, armed, paid for, and supported by the colonies from which they were raised.
In the spring of 1775, these volunteers were about to confront Britain’s seasoned professionals near Boston, Massachusetts. The Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, reportedly, at John Adams’ request, voted to “adopt” the Boston troops on June 14 and voted $2,000,000 to support the forces around Boston. Congress directed ten companies of expert riflemen from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia to march to Boston to support the New England militia.
George Washington received his appointment as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army the next day, and formally took command at Boston on July 3, 1775.
As part of the ceremony Donald “Sarge” Sova, who will be 83 years of age on July 3, was presented with a citation honoring him for his years of service to his country by his great-nephew and mayor of Rices Landing Ryan Belski, on behalf of state Rep. Pam Snyder (D-Jefferson).
Sova retired at the level of Sergeant First Class after a 22 year career in the Army during which he saw tours of duty in Korea, the Dominican Republic and Viet Nam.
Together Sova, the oldest veteran present and Bryan Balschmiter, the youngest veteran present, cut the cake in honor of the Army’s birthday.
Balschmiter retired from the Army as a specialist after four and one-half years of service and a one year tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Later in the evening the Cumberland American Legion Post 400 conducted a solemn service to retire distressed and unserviceable flags. The U.S. Flag Code states, “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”
Chaplain Larry Sutton read a poem saying how some people in America and around the world show their disrespect by burning our flag, but when a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country; it should be destroyed by incineration in a dignified manner.
Commander William “Bill” Ross led the service saying, “Let these faded flags of our Country be retired and destroyed with respectful and honorable rites and their places be taken by bright new flags. Let no grave of our dead soldiers or sailors be unhonored or unmarked.”
The service also included the Veterans Honor Guard, the firing squad firing “three volleys of musketry” and the playing of taps reflecting the American military customs over the graves of fallen comrades.
Anyone who has a distressed or unserviceable flag may bring them to the drop-off box at the Legion located on Pine Street in Carmichaels throughout the year to have them properly retired.
Other Flag Day ceremonies were held on June 14.
The James Farrell Post 330 of the American Legion in Waynesburg hosted a service led by master of ceremonies Thomas H. Boyd Jr. The service also featured an invocation by Zane W. Mitchell; comments from state Rep. Pam Snyder (D-Jefferson) and Capt. Donald Martin; a vocal performance by Autumn Laskody; ceremonial detail by Post Commander Danny E. Debolt, First-Vice Commander Elmer W. Schifko and Second Vice-Commander Charles R. King; flag detail by James A. Seargeant and Challen G. Matthews; a firing squad salute by members of the American Legion.
Following the service, Seargeant and mebers of Boy Scouts of America Troop 1280 of Waynesburg properly disposed of worn and unservicable American flags, and a dinner was held where certificates were presented.
Also on June 14, the Fort Jackson Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution held a service on the steps of the Greene County Court House in Waynesburg at 8 a.m. The service featured a keynote address by U.S. Army Reserves Lt. Col. Todd Moore, who recognized local veterans and landmarks that were instrumental in preserving and protecting the American flag.
Following his remarks, Moore was presented with a Certificate of Distinguished Service by members of the SAR chapter.