In honor of Flag Day, the Ottawa Elks Lodge 588 held their annual ceremony at Washington Park in Ottawa Tuesday. Exalted Ruler Lynne Schlink says the tradition has been happening since 1908 when it became required for the lodge to have it each year. She says the ceremony is to honor the American flag and to remember why it was first created.
Elks Member Charles Stanley explained the history of eight different flags that have flown throughout the country’s history. The ceremony also included the singing of The Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America. It was cut a little shorter this year because of the extreme heat and humidity.
You can hear Charles Stanley’s full speech about the eight flags here:
Members of the Elks Lodge sing with Lloyd Chapman (left) in a rendition of God Bless America.