St. George Flag Day event calls for increased patriotism, honors citizens, businesses for displaying flag

ST. GEORGE — Over 150 American patriots and veterans filled the St. George Active Life Center on Tuesday to celebrate Flag Day and honor local citizens and businesses that display the American flag. 

Local residents and businesses congregate for the ceremony, Utah, June 14, 2022 | Photo by Truman Burgess, St. George News

The local Color Country Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution hosted the event, which included multiple patriotic speakers, a presentation of colors, an acapella medley of classic patriotic songs, a parade of historic American flags and a performance of the national anthem. 

Two co-chairs of the Flag of United States Committee concluded the meeting by presenting awards to the sizable group of local flag honorees. These honorees, including the businesses Chic-fil-a and SkyWest Airlines, didn’t just display the American flag throughout the year — they did so according to the strict directions outlined in the United States Code

After the ceremony, Petty Officer Anton Kuhlmann, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War, spoke with St. George News about his personal attachment to the American flag.

“Every time I see the flag, I see the red,” he said. “There’s a lot of red in that flag. That’s the blood of American patriots that gave everything. The American flag represents to me what you’re willing to give, not what you’re willing to get.”

Kuhlmann said the upcoming generation of Americans doesn’t understand what the flag stands for and that citizenship isn’t about individuals but about America as a unified nation. Americans need to look to the future of the nation, as well as the past, he added.

Daughters of the American Revolution and a son, George, present a parade of historic American flags, Utah, June 14, 2022 | Photo by Truman Burgess, St. George News

“America is still evolving,” he said.
“We’re learning from mistakes, and we’re still growing. The youth need to understand it’s not what we take from life — it’s what we give. Young Americans need to wake up, or their future America won’t be what it should be.”

Susan Dransfield, regent of the Color Country Chapter of DAR, conducted the ceremony. She spoke about the symbolism of the American flag and how she wishes others would view it.

“The flag stands for freedom,” she said. “It stands for dignity. It stands for our country’s history. We have an obligation and responsibility to honor it and fly it.”

Regarding her duties in DAR, Dransfield said she’s always been patriotic, even as a child.

“I came into this world loving our country and loving the states,” she said. “I recognize I was born into the greatest nation in the world. It’s my obligation to represent our nation by being civic-minded, getting involved and by being respectful of our nation and its leaders. I want to put forth the desire to live in humility and gratitude for what this nation has given us. I want to always promote patriotism in any way I can.”

The Daughters of the American Revolution is a lineage-based society of women who seek to inspire patriotism in Americans. Women can join DAR only if they can prove they have blood lineage to ancestors who provided a form of support in the American Revolution.

Valerie King, Color Country Chapter’s honorary regent, dressed in Martha Washington attire, Utah, June 14, 2022 | Photo by Truman Burgess, St. George News

Other members of DAR promoted patriotism at the ceremony in their own way. Valerie King, Color Country Chapter’s honorary regent, was dressed from head to toe as Martha Washington, complete with laced gloves and a bonnet. King said Martha Washington once inspired patriotism in Revolutionary War soldiers and she felt proud to match her appearance.

“We need to get back to the roots of our country,” she said. “Americans should learn why we became who we are today and what sacrifices were made. Some people sacrificed their blood and whole fortunes for liberty and freedom. We need to get kids back there to understand what it took to make this country.”

A young boy named George personified King’s point, literally. He dressed in a traditional Revolutionary War uniform, tailored to his height, and took center stage in the history of the American flag presentation.

Flag honorees were awarded certificates for their flag displays. Speaking directly to the honorees, Dransfield thanked them for their patriotism.

“We honor you this day because you’re civic-minded,” she said. “You care about this country, and you care about our community. You fly the American flag with distinction and honor. This ceremony is for you.”

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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