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Bemidjians commemorate history, importance of the American flag in honor of Flag Day

The American flag was memorialized in various ways on Tuesday in honor of Flag Day, both at Ralph Gracie Memorial Park and at the Lake Bemidji waterfront.

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American Legion Honor Guard members perform a ceremonial flag burning for decommissioned American flags as part of a Flag Day ceremony on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at Ralph Gracie Memorial Park.
Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

BEMIDJI -- The American flag was memorialized in various ways on Tuesday in honor of Flag Day, both at Ralph Gracie Memorial Park and at the Lake Bemidji waterfront.

Celebrated each year on June 14, Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States by the Second Continental Congress.

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The Flag Resolution, passed on June 14, 1777, stated: "Resolved, That the flag of the 13 United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

A traditional ceremony was held by members of Ralph Gracie American Legion Post No. 14 and Bemidji Elks to memorialize the history and purpose of the American flag in honor of Flag Day.

A small and intimate ceremony at Ralph Gracie Memorial Park started out with those in attendance singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” followed by organizers giving a short introduction and prayer.

Bemidji Elks Past Exalted Ruler Mark Dickinson then read through the history of the American flag. As eight different variations of the flag were recognized, flag bearers hoisted each flag throughout history as Dickinson explained the importance of each one.

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Bemidji Elks Past Exalted Ruler Mark Dickinson reads the history of the American Flag at a Flag Day ceremony on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at Ralph Gracie Memorial Park.
Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

“The evolution of the American flag marks the progression of the government of the American people,” Dickinson read. “Our flag represents the American nation as it was at its birth, speaks for what it is today.”

All those in attendance joined together for the singing of “God Bless America” and placed their hands on their hearts for the Pledge of Allegiance.

As the ceremony drew to a close, community members gathered around as members of the American Legion Honor Guard performed a proper flag burning ceremony, honorably disposing of American flags that have become faded and worn in a tribute of service and love.

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American Legion Honor Guard commander Tom Annonson and comrade Pat Winkler salute during a ceremonial flag burning for decommissioned American flags as part of a Flag Day ceremony on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at Ralph Gracie Memorial Park.
Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer
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Bemidji Elks member Bill Batchelder holds the Grand Union flag at a Flag Day ceremony on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at Ralph Gracie Memorial Park.
Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

“A flag may be a flimsy bit of gauze or a beautiful banner of silk, but its real value is beyond price,” said American Legion Honor Guard Commander Tom Annonson. “The flag is a precious symbol of all that we and our comrades have worked for, lived for and died for.”

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Bemidji Elks member Tim McCory holds the Gadsden Flag at a Flag Day ceremony on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at Ralph Gracie Memorial Park.
Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer
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American Legion and Bemidji Elks members pose under the flag pole following a Flag Day ceremony on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at Ralph Gracie Memorial Park.
Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

Flags at the waterfront

Members of the Fair Elections Action Team stood along the sidewalk in front of Paul Bunyan Park to celebrate Flag Day and advocate for fair elections.

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Indivisible Bemidji member Will Weaver holds an American flag along the sidewalk in front of Paul Bunyan Park to celebrate Flag Day and advocate for fair elections on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Bemidji.
Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

“So many of the new voting restrictions coming in (are) making it harder for people to vote,” said Indivisible Bemidji member Will Weaver. “Indivisible nationwide organized because of all the politics that were trying to divide people with all the hate speech singling out demographic groups.”

The group’s mission is to promote a progressive agenda of fairness and common wellbeing for all citizens by fueling grassroots and inclusive processes that support democracy, according to the Indivisible Bemidji website.

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Members of the Indivisible Bemidji Fair Elections Action Team stand along the sidewalk in front of Paul Bunyan Park to celebrate Flag Day and advocate for fair elections on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Bemidji.
Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

“We believe that democracy is strengthened when everybody can vote with ease and without restrictions,” Weaver said. “This isn’t a protest, we are out here advocating for Flag Day and the protection of voting rights.”

Around 15 people, including Minnesota House 2A candidate Reed Olson, stood behind the letters spelling out “Voting Rights” and holding up flags.

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“The blue on the American flag represents justice and perseverance,” an Indivisible Bemidji member said, “and that's why we’re here.”

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Indivisible Bemidji member Joel Ward, left, and Minnesota House 2A candidate Reed Olson stand along the sidewalk in front of Paul Bunyan Park to celebrate Flag Day and advocate for fair elections on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Bemidji.
Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer

Maggi is a reporter at the Bemidji Pioneer focusing on outdoor and human interest stories. Raised in Aitkin, Minnesota, Maggi is a graduate of Bemidji State University's class of 2022 with a degree in Mass Communication.
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