It’s a grand old flag!
More than 100 veterans and citizens saluted Old Glory at state Sen. Marty Golden’s Flag Day celebration in Cannonball Park June 15.
To honor the 226th anniversary of the Continental Congress’s adoption of the Stars and Stripes as its symbol, the event featured the presentation of colors by the United States Marine Corps 6th Communication Battalion, and a rousing rendition of the national anthem by Brooklyn tenor Pasquale Piccinonno. Chaplain Connie Ranocchia from the Vietnam Veterans of America gave the invocation, then disabled Army veteran Barry Berger gave a performance of “Taps.”
Golden (R–Bay Ridge) recalled the star spangled banner’s long history as a unifying image for all Americans.
“From the birth of our nation until the present day, the one thing that has united us is our flag,” Golden said.
Congressman Michael Grimm (R–Bay Ridge) — who served in the Marines Corps during Operation Desert Storm — invoked iconic scenes where the United States’ colors have flown.
“Whether it is raised at Iwo Jima or above the rubble of Ground Zero, the American flag has become a beacon of hope and freedom recognized throughout the globe,” said Grimm.
Reach reporter Will Bredderman at wbredderman@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-4507. Follow him at twitter.com/WillBredderman.
