FLAG DAY AT THE ELKS

 It is another glorious morning in Central California.  A beautiful 63 degrees ... almost cold in the mornings.  It makes for perfect patio participation in America's pastime ... a morning cup-o-joe!!

It's also the perfect way to start a day when the sprinkler guy stands you up.  No kidding ... after about 4 text messages, he was a NO SHOW!  I'm guessing maybe he was one of the crew I let go for cutting up my drip lines and electrical wires.  And so I am once again ... dead in the water.

Basically I did nothing all day.  Oh I cleaned up a bit, made a terrible dessert from cool whip and sugar-free pudding ... the most awful thing I've tasted in some time ... and even did a little quilting.

So when it was time to head out to the flag ceremony at the Elks Lodge, I wasn't opposed to getting in the "outfit", nylons, high heels and all.  

The Elks are the only organization in the U.S. that honors the flag with a ceremony every June 14.  If you get a chance to go to one, definitely check it out.

One of our Officers could not attend, and I got talked into standing in.  No problem they said, you don't have to speak.  They lied.  When I got to my place, there lay the program with my speaking part.  Here's my challenge to you ..... say "it is the symbol of brotherly love" LOUDLY.  We don't have microphones.    I don't think brotherly came out right, but I said it.

The County Honor Guard, made up of mostly our members, brings the flags in to the lodge room to the sound of our pianist playing the song of that time.  This is the very first flag the U.S. ever had.  It's green and white????

As they are brought in one at a time, the history of that particular flag is read aloud.  The yellow one, barely visible is the Gadsden Flag with a snake on it.

The history is really interesting ... who designed them ... who decided how many stars and what they would look like ... who decided how many stripes and when they were first flown in the United States.

I've helped with this Flag Ceremony before, so I knew the background of each one, but if you are interested, read up on the history.  It's pretty fascinating.  Once all the flags are in place, there's more pomp and circumstance, introductions of the Honor Guard, and some singing God Bless America before we finally break for dinner.

Here's the Honor Guard, all Veterans of course, who perform military services for any veteran who passes away in our County.  These guys also handle a new program ... FINALLY ... that gives items of furniture and whatever they need to Veterans who are actually receiving free housing.  At this time there are 98 on the list, so these guys are working diligently to find everyone a home.

And so a not-so-good-day ended on a good note.  Everyone headed down to dinner and I ghosted the building.  Big noisy crowds are not my thing. 

Lucky me, this morning I'm headed BACK to the lodge to prepare for our Father's Day breakfast.  This time it's free for everyone, so I expect a crowd for tomorrow's pancakes, eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, pastries and fruit cups.  I'm guessing that means there may not be a blog tomorrow.  I'm praying for a NO-BURN day in the kitchen.