The Village of Walden’s Veteran Memorial Park teemed with overwhelming patriotic spirit last Sunday, June 8, during the 17th annual Flag Day ceremony, a special occasion where residents appreciate the American flag, understand its meaning, and commemorate individuals who sacrificed their lives to protect it.

The ceremony opened with flag colors from the Valley Central Viking JROTC, then the Pledge of Allegiance led by several Boy Scouts, and an opening prayer from Reverend James Van Houten of Walden Baptist Church. E Rock Entertainment played several patriotic songs during the afternoon, including “Star Spangled Banner,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” and a military medley. Walden Trustee Gerald Mishk served as this year’s master of ceremonies, introducing the event’s speakers while recounting the history behind the American flag and its holiday.

“The flag of the United States of America will be 248 years old on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The Continental Congress adopted a resolution establishing a flag for the new nation on June 14, 1777, almost one year after the Declaration of Independence,” Mishk said. “The resolution specified 13 alternating red-and-white stripes and 13 stars on the blue field , representing the 13 original colonies that declared their independence. Today, the stripes remain the same, but stars were added as states joined the Union; the number reached 50 when Hawaii became a state on August 21, 1959.”

“President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation on May 13, 1916, declaring the national observance of Flag Day. President Harry S. Truman signed an act of Congress on August 3, 1949, designating June 14 each year as National Flag Day,” he continued. “Although Flag Day is observed in all 50 states, Pennsylvania is the only state where it is a legal holiday.”

Following Miskh’s introduction, Scouts from BSA Troop 33 demonstrated how to properly fold an American flag, with each fold representing a different facet of the U.S.

“The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life, the second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life,” said Scoutmaster Mike Davis, who described each of the flag’s 12 folds. “The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country.”

Lynn Thompson, Walden’s deputy mayor, pinpointed moments in her life when she understood the American flag’s significance. She also thanked several people for putting together this year’s ceremony, including Brenda Adams, the ceremony’s committee, and members of the village’s parks and recreation department.

“I was thinking earlier, when did I realize how special our flag is? I think it was during first grade; I remember we had to learn the Pledge of Allegiance,” Thompson said. “My dad is a World War II veteran, and he took the flag and everything in this country very seriously. He started teaching us when we were small how important it is to be an American, what a privilege it is to be an American, and how to honor our flag.”

Brian Maher, New York State Assemblyman of District 101, gave a special thank-you to domestic service members, such as teachers and nurses, for maintaining smooth operations for their country and communities.

“When we talk about the American flag, it is essential that we talk about our service members, the individuals that serve in the military, and their families, and honor them,” Maher said. “But this year, I want to give a shout-out to all those individuals who live domestically and work to keep our country great every single day. That’s our teachers, teacher aides, administrators, nurses, doctors, human and direct service professionals.”

“When I look at the American flag and the greatness of our country, I don’t see just the military, but also the civilians who do so much and have done so for so long, that give us such pride to call ourselves citizens of the United States of America,” he continued.

Senator Rob Rolison spoke about the late Sergeant Eugene Darrigan, a WWII radio operator from Wappinders Falls. On March 11, 1944, Darrigan’s plane was bombed down and sank into the South Pacific, with his and his crew’s bodies deemed unrecoverable. This changed in 2017 when an organization called Project Recover located the Derrigan’s aircraft and spent five years retrieving the crew’s remains. After 81 years, Darrigan was officially laid to rest on May 24, 2025, in his home village; during his funeral, an American flag was draped over his casket, folded, and given to his 85-year-old niece, Virginia Pineiro.

“It was one of the most moving ceremonies that I have ever been at; finally, our native son from Wappingers Falls, Eugene Darrigan, was brought home and properly laid to rest,” Rolison said. “When we think about this flag and what we and this flag stand for, let’s make sure that we remember the Eugene Derrigans of the world and countless others that have laid their lives down for us so we could be here today.”

Nat Winum announced the winner of this year’s “God Bless America” Scholarship, an annual tradition in honor of the late Dominic Winum, a police officer who was slain in 2021 while on duty. This year’s winner was Valley Central Student Jaiden Santana, who wrote an exceptional essay about the true meaning of patriotism and her efforts to help underrepresented communities.

“Patriotism is more than waving a flag or reciting the Pledge of Allegiance; it’s a deep, active love for country that includes both pride and accountability. True patriotism means honoring the progress our country has made, while recognizing the work still needed to make America a place where freedom, justice, and opportunity are real for people,” Winum read from Santana’s essay. “It means caring enough to speak up, to participate, and to push for change. Not because you hate your country, but because you believe in its potential.”