On June 14, approximately 50 people showed up at the Johnston Senior Center for the annual Flag Day ceremony, sponsored by the Tri City Elks Lodge No. 14 in West Warwick.
Activities director Ellen Trementozzi introduced the lodge members and center coordinator Denise Bell captured the emotional event with pictures. Nine flags were presented, and at the end Assistant Director Millie Santilli asked all the veterens to stand and thanked them for their service.
Santilli went on to read a touching poem titled “I Am The Flag of the United States of America.”
“When I am flown with my fellow banners my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer,” Santilli read, in part. “I bow to no one! I am recognized all over the world. I am worshipped, I am saluted.”
“Some of the lodge members had tears in their eyes,” Santilli said. “They said it gets them every time. It is a very powerful message.”
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