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Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 1:48 AM

Elks Lodge #2239 Holds Flag Ceremony

Elks Lodge #2239 Holds Flag Ceremony

A local ceremony recognizing Flag Day and honoring the United States flag was held yesterday at the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Fallon Lodge #2239.

Led by Pat Avery, and performed by local members of the Elks Lodge, the ceremony was a formal reminder of the centuries-old custom of “heraldry” and pays tribute to that custom of “carrying banners” which usually symbolize “some concept of the life or government of those who fashion them.”

Members of the Fallon Elks recited the lines of the Flag Day Ritual, and from his station the Chaplain began the ceremony with an Invocation, stating, “May this service bring to each of us a sense of loyalty to our country and enable us to be better patriots, truer citizens, and more loyal Americans…”

The ceremony includes a detailed history of the flag, with the unique display of each flag provided by Tedd Balash showing each evolution of the various flags as the timeline was read, showing a progression of the government of the American people.

From 1607 until 1775 the Flag of England was the recognized flag until in 1775 the Pine Tree Flag was adopted for all colonial shipping vessels. Early Colonists used the Gadsden Flag, “Don’t Tread on Me” their motto, from 1776 to ’77 until the Continental Congress adopted “The Grand Union” as a single flag for the thirteen colonies. Designed with thirteen alternating stripes of red and white, and an azure field in the upper corner bearing the red cross of St. George and the white cross of St. Andrew, this flag was used until Betsy Ross designed the first evolution of the “Stars and Stripes” with which we are now familiar.

in 1908, the Grand Lodge in Dallas Texas provided for the nationwide observance of Flag Day by all Elks, requiring subordinate lodges to observe the national holiday.

“The price of liberty is eternal vigilance,” a quote often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, is included in the ritual, leading into a tribute to those who served beneath the flag, reminding us of its significance; “it has waved over the unparalleled progress of a nation in developing democratic institutions, scientific and technological knowledge, education and culture. It has served as a beacon for millions of poor and oppressed refugees abroad and stands as a promise that the under-privileged will not be forgotten.”

 

 

 

 

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Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I knew Sam as a member of our church growing up. He always had a warm smile, a kind word, and a great sense of humor! He will be great missed!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:57 AMComment source: Obituary -- Samuel Bruce WickizerComment author: Mike HinzComment text: Great teacher, great coach, but even a better person!!! Rest in peace Mr. BeachComment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:53 AMComment source: Obituary -- Jack Victor Beach, Jr.Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I had Mrs Hedges for First Grade at Northside Elementary in 1969. I still, to this day, remember her as a wonderful teacher…one of my favorites!!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:29 AMComment source: Obituary - Nancy Marie Hedges C Comment author: Carl C. HagenComment text: What are MFNs and PBMs ?? ............................ From the editor: This is a very good question and we apologize for not catching that wasn't in there. We reached out to the writer/submitter and got this info back...hope it's helpful. PBM: Pharmacy Benefit Managers are pharmacies that are owned by insurance companies. (CVS is one.) They negotiate with drug makers to get reduced pricing for medications, but they historically have not passed along those savings to patients. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/pharmacy-benefit-managers-staff-report.pdf MFN: Most Favored Nation pricing is a policy that means a country agrees to offer the same trade concessions (like tariffs or price reductions) to all member nations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). When applied to pharmaceuticals, it could disrupt global access, deter innovation, and obscure the deeper systemic issues in American health care. https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2025/05/22/the-global-risks-of-americas-most-favored-nation-drug-pricing-policy/Comment publication date: 6/23/25, 7:47 AMComment source: L E T T E R TO THE EDITOR
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