THOUSANDS ATTEND
“CELEBRATING THE STARS AND STRIPES”
By Tom Piazze, Program Director
An audience of young and old totaling more than 2000 people was on hand at Patriot Plaza on Flag Day 2015 for an informative, entertaining and patriotic evening celebrating the 238th birthday of our “Stars and Stripes”. Held as part of the American Flag Protocol Initiative, the event was jointly hosted by the MOAS and the POPS Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota, conducted by Dr. Robyn Bell.
The ninety minute musical event focused on the origin and history of the United States Flag as presented by Vane Scott III, from Newcomerstown, Ohio, who brought life and comedy to this amazing story. As a special feature of the evening, formal Flag Retirement and Retreat Ceremonies overlooking the impressive features of the Sarasota National Cemetery were also conducted. In addition to the POPS Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota, other local organizations taking part in the ceremony included the Sons of the American Revolution; American Legion Post 159; Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida; Young Marines from Venice Middle School; VeteransU; and Goodwill Manasota.
Special thanks to all MOAS members on the Planning Committee for their untiring efforts to make this event an overwhelming success, to include: Brian McCarthy, Linda Gould, Alan Forrester, Jim Connell, Tony Mowery, Chris White, George Tracy, Barbara Hamilton and Jack Barnett.
