Sumter Elks invite public to Flag Day ceremony

Sumter Elks Lodge 855 will hold its annual Flag Day ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday at the lodge, 1100 W. Liberty St. The program, which the public is encouraged to attend, will include a history of the American flag and a display of the flag as it has appeared through the decades.

The United States flag was adopted on June 14, 1777, and Flag Day was made an official observance by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916; an Act of Congress established June 14 as National Flag Day in 1949.

Lodge spokesman Johnny Raffield said the program will be "informative (and) perfect for schoolchildren and adults alike."

The program will also include the retiring of damaged or severely worn American flags by local Boy Scouts.

"We would like to remind all individuals, businesses and municipalities flying our flag that this is a great time to look at your flag to make certain it is in good condition," Raffield said. "If your flag is ripped or has holes in it, it should be retired and replaced with a new flag. Flags will be retired at the flag-burning ceremony, immediately following the Flag Day ceremony."

He added that "If you display your flag at night, please remember to make sure that it is lighted. If your flag is displayed other than on a pole, the field of stars should be in the upper left-hand corner when being viewed."