Knights Templar celebrate Flag day
Shoppers saw more than the usual amount of flags outside of Pullman Square in Huntington on June 14. It was Flag Day—the day commemorating the adoption of the flag of the United States. Shoppers, pedestrians and patrons of outdoor restaurants observed several organizations participating in a ceremony honoring the Flag of the United States and the values it represents.
For more than 50 years, Huntington Commandery No. 9 has been observing the day by holding an event or participating in patriotic activities with other organizations. Sir Knights assembled at the Huntington Masonic Temple and marched to Pullman Square to join with Huntington Elks Lodge #313 for the ceremony. During the program, Huntington Sir Knights joined Cabell County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Chiles in singing the National Anthem and “God Bless America.”
Teenagers from Huntington Police Explorers Post 65 presented the flags of the country’s history.
Guest speaker, Dr. Gary Patton, counselor for the FBI in southern West Virginia, serving the Huntington, Charleston and Beckley offices, reminded the audience that “the flag stands for power, safety and freedom.”
Dr. Patton said, “Many people throughout the world are willing to desecrate our flag, but there are many more who are quick to run under it because of the freedom it represents.”
Attending the event were Paul O. Davis, Grand Captain General of the Grand Commandery of West Virginia along with Past Grand Commanders David DeMent and G. Butler Adkins, Jr.
Huntington Sir Knights march for “Old Glory” and sing “God Bless America.”
