Elyria Elks, veterans groups honor 'Old Glory' during Flag Day celebration

ELYRIA — The flag known as "Old Glory" and its predecessors were on display Saturday as Elyria Elks and veterans organizations honored the American flag on its 248th birthday. More than two-dozen people sat by the fountain on Ely Square to hear Elks officers give a presentation on the history and meaning of the American flag from its birth to now. Saturday marked the 248th anniversary of the official adoption of the flag's design: White stars on a blue square, or canton, over 13 alternating red and white stripes. It's a design that has rarely changed over time except for the number of stars, which is now 50: One for each state, along with its original 13 stripes. The original 13-star, 13-stripe version of the flag was adopted June 14, 1777, during the American Revolution, which ended in a victory against the British and the founding of a new nation. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day in 1916. The national celebration was designated by an act of Congress and signed by President Harry Truman in 1949. Exalted Ruler Dean Robinson of Elyria Elks Lodge No. 465 and other lodge officials said the flag not only represents the nation, but the Elks' cardinal virtues of charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity. Robinson said the flag is a symbol, a response to the "heresy of the divine right of kings," representing instead the divine right of all to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and freedom. "This is the heritage of the people of the United States," he said, who have fought everyone from kings and dictators to terrorists from 1776 to the present. The American Legion Post 12 Honor Guard gave a review of six historic American flags and the modern design, including the Grand Union flag, the Gadsden flag, the Bennington flag, the Betsy Ross flag and the 15-star and 15-stripe flag — "The Star-Spangled Banner" of the national anthem and the official U.S. flag from 1795-1818. But it's the current design, organizers said, that is the most important and most visible symbol of the United States. Elyria Mayor Kevin Brubaker provided a proclamation for the ceremony, honoring June 14, 2025 as "Flag Day in the city of Elyria" and encouraging Elyrians to "display their flags proudly and appropriately." Elks lodges across the nation must hold formal Flag Day services every year on June 14, something that has been required of them since 1911, according to the national Elks organization. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com