More than 240 years after the U.S. flag was adopted by the Second Continental Congress, veterans gathered with community members and local officials to honor Old Glory during a Flag Day ceremony at Athens State University.

During the ceremony, Athens State professors shared the history of the U.S. flag and recognized veterans in the audience who had helped fight for the right to fly it.

“In honoring that flag, we honor all those people who, past and present, have come and given of their life or limb through different kinds of sacrifices,” said Dr. Mark Durm, professor of psychology and a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Durm said he was 10 years old when the current flag design was adopted. He shared the story of Robert G. Heft, who at 17 years old spent 12 1/2 hours sewing a version of the current design for a school project. Heft only received a B-minus for his work but was told if his design was selected by Congress, the grade would be raised.

On July 4, 1960, Congress did just that.

“The moral of this story is don’t ever belittle a B-minus,” Durm said.

Carolyn Carthen, an advisor in the Athens State Veterans Educational Assistance department, led a recognition of veterans in the audience and on the stage.

“We know thankings are not enough,” Carthen said. “We appreciate you, and it is because of you that we live the life we live today, here in America and all over the world.”

Assistant professor of business Dr. Lionel Wright expanded on the flag’s international meaning in his keynote address.

“Countries from around the world look to the American flag with the same hope and inspiration,” Wright said. “The flag started as a banner to celebrate America’s freedom but now stands as an icon of world diplomacy.”

He challenged those in the audience to reflect on what the sight of the flag means to them.

“For me, it’s an enormous sense of pride,” Wright said. “As a soldier, the flag represents freedom, safety and strength. As a veteran, the flag represents pride, joy and fulfillment. As an immigrant, the flag represents hope, aspiration and opportunity.”

Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, said for him, the flag was a symbol of home.

“The flag can mean a lot of things to a lot of people,” Crawford said. “When I left Belle Mina as an 18-year-old headed for Fort Dixon, New Jersey — which I thought of as a foreign country — one thing I did see was the American flag. Each morning as they raised the flag and each evening as they lowered that flag, it was very special.”

The free annual Flag Day program was held in Athens State’s Sandridge Student Center ballroom. The Athens State Community Band and Copeland Road Quartet provided musical accompaniment. Boy Scouts Troop 240 presented colors.