Flag-day event planned for noon at C Hill

For Tod Jennings, a retired U.S. Air Force master sergeant, the U.S. flag evokes memories of non-American bases where Americans were not allowed to hang the U.S. flag.

Jennings, who spent 21 years in the Air Force, was frustrated at the rules, especially since the Americans were on the base and in the country to help.

"After not being able to fly the flag at the Saudi Air Force Base and Spanish Air Force Base, seeing it on C Hill is especially meaningful to me," Jennings said.

Jennings, a member of American Legion Capitol Post No. 4r, is helping plan this Friday's Flag Day ceremony on C Hill, home of the 120-by-67 foot U.S. flag and the Carson High School 'C', in honor of Flag Day.

The event, sponsored by the Legion and the C-Hill Flag Foundation, begins at 11:30 a.m., with the Pledge of Allegiance scheduled to be said at noon.

"We're going to have a couple of speakers talk about the flag and what it means," Jennings said. "We're commemorating the final cleanup of Ground Zero and all the civilian and military forces in their fight against terrorism."

Celebrated June 14 each year, Flag Day commemorates the June 14, 1777, adoption of the U.S. flag by a U.S. Marine Committee Resolution for the 13 United States. Although President Woodrow Wilson established Flag Day by proclamation in 1916, it was President Harry Truman who signed an Act of Congress in 1949, officially making June 14 Flag Day.

The flag on C Hill was put up in October, and is actually 13 separate pieces.

It came up as an idea when friends Gil Ayarbe and Dan Mooney were walking their dogs.

"We said it'd be nice to have a flag up there," said Ayarbe, a member of the Legion and caretaker of the flag. "Mooney got a whole lot of people together and the city became involved and it was done in three or four weeks."

The flag costs, approximately $6,000, were defrayed by community donations.

To get to the Flag Day ceremony, take Rhodes Street past Greenhouse Garden Center up C Hill from Curry Street, according to Ayarbe. Anyone in need of a ride can catch a shuttle from the garden center. The dirt road requires four-wheel drive.

A lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers and sodas will be served, with a group of Boy Scouts helping at the event. Community sponsors such as Albertson's, Scolari's and Kmart made donations for the ceremony, which will last about an hour, according to Jennings.

IF YOU GO

What: Flag Day event

When: From about 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the Pledge of Allegiance said at noon

Where: In the Saddle at C Hill, take Rhodes Street as it turns to dirt off Curry Street past Greenhouse Garden Center.

ON THE NET

For information on Flag Day

www.usflag.org/flag.day.html.

Other Flag Day events

-- An 11 a.m. flag ceremony lasting about 45 minutes will be held at the Veterans Memorial at the Capitol complex off Musser Street on Friday. Both the 227th birthday of the U.S. Army and the 225th birthday of the flag will be commemorated. Mayor Ray Maysako will present proclamations.

-- A flag retirement ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, June 19, at the Veterans Memorial, behind the Capitol. Drop off any unserviceable, torn or tattered flags at the Old Globe Saloon, 407 N. Curry Street, at Mo and Slugo's Bar and Grill, 110 W. Telegraph Street, or bring them to the ceremony. For information, call Tod Jennings at 544-2534.

-- Minden/Douglas Elks Lodge 2670 will conduct a Flag Day Ceremony in Minden Park at 1 p.m. Saturday. The ceremony presents a history of the flags of the United States and is open to the public.