Emmaus residents and friends celebrated Flag Day with music, poetry, essays and special recognitions June 14 at Emmaus Community Park. Thanks to the efforts of the Emmaus Woman’s Club of Emmaus Flag Day Committee co-chairs Pat Stasko and Pat Waller, attendees were unified in an appreciation of the history and values embodied by the American flag.

The program opened with an invocation by Monsignor Edward Coyle, pastor of St. Ann Roman Catholic Church, Emmaus.

Participants recited the Pledge of Allegiance and Christine Castiello sang “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Other highlights of the program included awards presented to fifth and eighth grade students for their poems and essays on “What the American Flag Means to Me.”

Fifth grade winners recognized for poetry included Harper Daly, St. Ann School – first place; Melea Weber, Shoemaker Elementary School – second place and Colin Strella, Shoemaker Elementary School – third place.

Eighth grade essay winners included Greta Miller, Eyer Middle School – first place; Khushi Patel, Lower Macungie Middle School – second place and Nidhiben Patel, Lower Macungie Middle School – third place.

Musical renditions and a sing-along were led by the Emmaus Chorale, under the direction of Laura Rabenold and accompanied by Cindy Kerr.

American flags previously flown over Pennsylvania’s State Capitol were presented to retiring Mayor Winfield Iobst and Master of Ceremonies and Emmaus Borough Council member Nate Brown.

Long-term association member and current president Marge Heatley gave an address and Emmaus Police Chief Charles Palmer provided the keynote speech.

The Emmaus Veterans Committee, accompanied by local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, escorted the real star of the day, the Stars and Stripes, by advancing and retiring the colors.