Athens State University held its annual Flag Day Ceremony on Friday, June 14, at the Sandridge Student Center — honoring the stars and stripes that are synonymous with the sacrifice of the nation’s armed forces and the freedom of the United States of America.

“Flag Day is an opportunity for us to really think about the purpose behind our flag and our country,” Catherine Welhburg, president of Athens State University, said. “It also gives us the opportunity to honor the service members who have supported and sacrificed for us for so many years.”

Wehlburg started off the ceremony by welcoming a large crowd of locals — many of who patriotically dawned the red, white, and blue colors associated with the flag — to her university for the event.

“Seeing the support of our community for flag day, and for Athens State, has been wonderful,” Wehlburg told The News Courier. “We very much appreciate all who came out, and the Athens State Community Band and Community Choir who added much depth to what we did here.”

The ballroom inside of the campus building was packed with people and patriotic music, as the band and choir performed beautiful renditions of “America The Beautiful” and “God Bless the USA” along with other songs.

A moment of silence hushed the crowd of people as the Limestone County Honorary Guard — on-hand members Army veterans Larry Stovall and Joe McDonald — entered the room to post the colors.

“The flag represents everybody in our country no matter who you are, it is the first thing everybody goes to when tragedy hits our nation,” said Collin Daly, Limestone County Commission chairman. “It’s an honored symbol of people who fought the good fight to keep our freedom. It represents pride for us as Americans.”

J.D. Manders, a U.S. Army veteran and children’s book author, reciprocated similar sentiments to Daly as the guest speaker for the Flag Day Ceremony. He delivered a personal message on what the flag has meant to him throughout his life, and how it drastically changed after 9/11.

“I suddenly realized that my service did make a difference, it meant something,” Manders said at the ceremony. “I watched those towers come down, and all I could think about is that somebody had to stop this from ever happening again.”

After his heartfelt speech the Athens State Community Choir and Band — directed by Tim Clinton and Teresa Edwards — played the service songs from each branch of the U.S. Military, to pay respect to all who served.

During this portion of the ceremony, each person who served in the crowd was asked to stand as their branch’s song was played. With each and every person who stood from the Army, Navy, Air Force and others, receiving a round of applause.

“Flag day is very important, on June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress established our great flag,” Mayor Ronnie Marks told The News Courier. “Since that day we have been pulled together as a nation under that flag to do great things.”