Pictured (l-r): Master of Ceremonies Bill Nosek, Event Coordinator Mike Kerwin, and Choir Direcor Lynne Border

For the second consecutive year, the Assembly was host to the Hot Springs Village Flag Day celebration.  It was held at Sacred Heart of Jesus and was once again coordinated by Mike Kerwin.  In addition to the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion Post 123, the VFW Post 10483, and Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 783 participated in the activities on Friday, June 14. 

Following the 9:00am Mass celebrated by Faithful Friar Father Bill Elser, the Patriotic Rosary was led by Father Elser and deacons Bernie Bauer, John Froning, and Larry Lipsmeyer.  The Choir with its director Lynne Border partcipated in both the mass and the rosary.  Honor Guard members attended the mass and presented the colors in the Sanctuary before the Patriotic Rosary.

Prior to the program beginning in the Lower Hall at 10:45am, the approximately 145 attendees were treated to coffee and pastries.  As people entered, they were encouraged to buy 55/50 raffle tickets to benefit the Assembly's Flags Forever program. 

The program was as follows with Bill Nosek serving as Master of Ceremonies:
Opening Prayer................................Father Bill Elser
Posting the Colors............................American Legion and VFW
Pledge of Allegiance.........................Bill Evans (American Legion)
National Anthem...............................Pianist Lynne Border
Our Flag...........................................John Speer and Jimmy Weber (Sons of American Revolution)
Flag Trivia.........................................Bill Nosek
Flag Folding Demonstration.............Tom and Karen Johnson (narrated by Jim Albright)
Flags Forever ..................................Bill Nosek (for Russ Harrison)
Drawing of 50/50 Winners................Ray bertrand and Carl Suttor
Patriotic Songs.................................Video with Group Singing led by Choir
     She's a Grand Old Flag
     God Bless America
     America the Beautiful
Closing Prayer..................................Rev. Warren Freiheit  (Christ Lutheran Church)
Taps.................................................Alan Harless

A total of $329 was collected from the 50/50 sales with prizes of $83, $52, and $30 awarded.  The second recipient returned his winnings, so $217 was gained for the Flags Forever Program, which costs about $300 per year for the flags provided to eight golf courses and four fire stations in the Village.

The Sons of the Revolution DeSoto Trace Chapter distributed to all attendees brochures with many interesting facts about the flag and guidelines for honoring and displaying it.

Check out pictures of the event by clicking on Photos.