Coeur d'Alene Elks Flag Day observance is today

Coeur d’Alene Elks Lodge 1254 invites the community to a Flag Day Ceremony today at 11:00 a.m. at the lodge, located at 1170 W. Prairie Ave.

Flag day is celebrated on June 14 across the nation, and was conceived in 1907 by the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks as a way to show allegiance to our country and our flag, which is a fundamental requirement of all Elks members. It was proclaimed a national day of observance by President Harry Truman in 1949.

All members of the community are invited to attend. Starting off the ceremony will be a parade of flags. About a dozen of the original American flag designs will be displayed, along with a short presentation on the flag’s history and symbolism.

Those with old and worn American flags are welcome to bring them to be retired properly by incineration during the ceremony. Civil Air Patrol members will be there to assist. The ceremony typically lasts about 45 minutes.

The Elks will be serving a lunch of hamburgers for purchase afterward, and all are welcome to stay and visit while they share a meal.