January 28, 2026
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Flag Day observed on Ashland Plaza

At the end of the presentation of the flags, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
June 15, 2024

Mayor reads proclamation, historic flags presented

By Bob & Tracy Palermini for Ashland.news

Ashland celebrated Flag Day on Friday with U.S. flags displayed throughout town. Ashland Elks Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) No. 944, provided a Flag Day celebration ceremony at noon on the Plaza downtown.

Elks are the only national fraternal organization that requires local, public celebration of Flag Day each June 14. Flag day commemorates adoption by the Continental Congress in 1777 of the official U.S. flag.

The Ashland Brass Band provided musical accompaniment to the ceremony which was opened by BPOE Exalted Ruler Lisa Smith. Mayor Tonya Graham read the city proclamation. Elk members presented historic flags while Leading Knight Kim Jensen, told the history of each flag and Trustee Christina Dunlap provided a response. Attendees participated in the Pledge of Allegiance and sang “The Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.”

More photos appear on the Ashland Elks Lodge Facebook page: facebook.com/ashlandelks944.

Bob & Tracy Palermini are residents of Ashland, where he is staff photographer for Ashland.news, as well a board member. Email Bob at [email protected].

Elks members carrying historic flags line up to present them at their Flag Day Ceremony Friday. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
Ashland Mayor Tonya Graham read the city’s proclamation on Flag Day at the Elks ceremony on Ashland Plaza Friday. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
The Ashland Brass Band played patriotic songs including “The Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America” at the Elks Flag Day Ceremony on Ashland Plaza on Friday. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
Kim Jensen (at lectern), the Leading Knight of Ashland’s Elks Lodge, talked about each of the eight historic flags presented by Elks members. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
The final two flags presented at the Elks ceremony were the current U.S. flag and the POW MIA flag. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
Picture of Bert Etling

Bert Etling

Bert Etling is the executive editor of Ashland.news. Email him at [email protected].

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