American flags, Armed Forces flags and organization flags were all part of the Flag Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park of the Villages on Wednesday morning. Villages Honor Flight debuted its flag during the presentation of the organization flags. The symbolism of each fold of the flag was explained by Ursala Simpson during a flag folding demonstration by the Villages Memorial Park Honor Guard.
Retired USAF Lt. Col. Fred Harrop was the main speaker.
He started by telling the audience, “There are more flags visible here in The Villages than anywhere I have ever lived including military bases.” During his talk he remembered the late host of Meet the Press. “After 9/11 he broadcast his show wearing the flag. I remember he caught a lot of flak from other journalists at the time. His response was, ‘Yes, I am a journalist. But first I am an American citizen.’”
Harrop continued saying that Tim Russert appreciated the freedom of his country that allowed him to ask tough questions as a journalist. “Today is a time to reflect on the freedom for which the Flag stands,” said Harron. He closed his remarks reciting I am the Flag by Ruth Apperson Rous.
Villages Charter School ninth graders Sasha Ussery and Jasmine Morgan served as program volunteers handing out programs to attendees. One attendee Judy Davis is a regular at the Veterans Memorial Park of the Villages programs. Decked out in a red hat and star sunglasses, she said, “You should see me on the Fourth of July.” Veterans are near and dear to her heart and she finds all the programs uplifting.
Tall Trees residents Judy West and Jim Hand were attending their first program at Memorial Park. “I heard on TV the other day that the country is divided half red and half blue and I thought ‘No, we are red, white and blue.’ I am just so upset about how divided the country is so when I heard about this program, I decided it was just what I needed.” She very much enjoyed the program and plans to return for the Fourth of July program. “I will be back and plan to bring others with me.”
Tom and Chris Decker, of the Village of Hacienda Mission Hills, had walked around the park before, but this was their first time attending a program. After the program, Chris said that she felt “humbled, human and proud to be an American.
