Flag Day is the national day commemorating when Congress officially recognized the national flag of the United States of America June 14, 1777.

The Emmaus Flag Day Association held a Flag Day Observance June 14, co-sponsoring the event with the Emmaus Special Entertainment Committee and The Women’s Club of Emmaus. The observance was held at Emmaus Community Park in the Performing Arts Pavilion.

Lehigh County Commissioner Nathan Brown presided over the event and introduced many esteemed guests. Rev. David K. Schlonecker, of Bethel Bible Church, gave the Invocation and Benediction as well as comforting prayers.

The Emmaus Chorale performed two sing-a-longs of “My Country Tis of Thee” and “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy.”

Members of the Emmaus Veterans Committee, Boy Scout Troop 80 and Girl Scouts of the South Mountain Trail Service Unit Girl Scout Troop 6810 advanced the colors as part of the ceremony. Jonathan Mosebach played the drum roll; the same groups retired the colors at the conclusion of the event.

The Invocation was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of “The Star Spangled Banner” by Christine Castiello. The newly elected Mayor of Emmaus, Lee Ann Gilbert, the first female mayor, gave a welcome and proclamation.

Special guest speaker, Randy Schueck Jr., a Vietnam-era U.S. Marine Corps veteran, gave a moving and enlightening speech on patriotism and shared some little known facts about the American flag.

If you look at the flag carefully you can see the stars and stripes are individually sewn together. According to Schueck, this is done intentionally: “It symbolizes how America is made up of different cultures and people living together.”

The ceremony also recognized the winners of the 2018 Emmaus Flag Day Association contest.

In the fifth grade category, Logan Kuder, Willow Lane Elementary School, received first place, Katelyn James, Wescosville Elementary School, received second place and Katerina Starry, St. Ann School, received third place.

In the eighth grade category, Benjamin J. Knode, Lower Macungie Middle School, received first place, Marisa Rivero, Lower Macungie Middle School, received second place and Jonathan Romero, St. Ann School, received third place.

The students received trophies and medals for their poetry and essays respectively, all using the theme of “What the American Flag Means To Me.” After the students read their winning essays and poems, Gilbert presented them with proclamations from state Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-18th, and state Rep. Justin Simmons, R-131st. The winners also received flags which had previously flown over the capitol building in Harrisburg. State Sen. Pat Browne, R-16th and state Rep. Ryan E. Mackenzie, R-134th, also provided materials to the winners and finalists.

The students gave words of heartfelt and moving patriotism; a reminder that a child’s voice is honest and true.

Editor’s Note: The winning essays and poems can be found on our website at: lvpnews.com.