County Celebrates Flag Day (Despite the Rain)
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County Judge Dan Mueller delivers a speech at the Flag Day celebration on Sunday. -
County Celebrates Flag Day (Despite the Rain) -
Left, a color guard comprised of veterans from across the County march in the flags. Right, local veteran Dustin Blackwell presented County Judge Dan Mueller with a flag he carried during a parachute jump over Normandy on the anniversary of D-Day. Photos by Andy Behlen
Organizers of the Fayette County Flag Day celebration moved the event from the Courthouse Lawn to the Fairgrounds Sunday on account of the rain. That didn’t stop a big crowd from attending.
Bob Heinrich, Commander of the Schulenburg American Legion Post, served as master of ceremonies. Heinrich joked about the clear sky at the start of the ceremony, saying it probably wouldn’t rain since everyone went through the trouble of moving. But then about halfway through the ceremony, a heavy downpour caused a slight delay in Charlie Murray’s speech about why we pledge allegiance to the flag.
A group of local veterans performed a flag-folding ceremony while Heinrich narrated the meaning behind each of the 13 folds.
The flag used in the ceremony was carried by local veteran and U.S. Army Paratrooper Dustin Blackwell when he jumped from a C-47 World War II aircraft over Normandy, France, on the 82nd anniversary of DDay. The flag was presented to County Judge Dan Mueller.
Mueller delivered a moving speech about the United States Flag. He recalled the story of Nathan Hale, the American spy who famously said, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country,” before being executed by the British.
Mueller also recalled the story of First Lady Dolly Madison, who saved many important pieces of history from the White House before the British burned it in 1814. One of those items was an American flag from the Revolutionary War.
“The flag, though silent, speaks to us all,” Mueller said.
After the program, the crowd enjoyed hot dogs prepared by Feed the Need Ministries.