Senior Center celebrates Flag Day with reverence

On a beautiful day in June, about 50 people showed up at the Johnston Senior Center for the annual Flag Day ceremony sponsored by the Tri City Elks lodge # 14 in Warwick.

Millie Santilli, Assistant Director of the JSC, emceed the event, while Denise Bell, the Center Coordinator, took pictures which captured the emotional event.

Nine flags were presented by the officers of Lodge # 14 with a lengthy description of each of the flags meaningful place in history. They led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance and sang God Bless America. At the conclusion, Santilli read a touching poem titled “I Am the Flag of the United States of America.”

“Some of the lodge members had tears in their eyes,” said Santilli, saying it gets them every time. “It is a very powerful message,” said Santilli.

The event ended with a delicious lunch of chicken cordon bleu with gravy, white rice, broccoli, and blueberry coffee cake for desert.

Those interested in information about the upcoming trips or events may give the Center a call at 944-3343, or visit the Center and become a member of their elite family and receive a newsletter every month. As their saying goes, remember at the JSC they keep you “Forever Young.” 

(Submitted text and photo)