"Honoring Our Utah Blue Star and Gold Star Families"
Come join one of the most memorable events leading up to the grand finale of "The Stadium Of Fire". "The Freedom Festival Flag Retirement Ceremony". June 14th, 2014. 8PM Macy's Food & Drug Store Parking Lot, 1230 North and State Street, Provo, Utah
June 14th, Flag Day, traditionally is our major Flag Presentation and Retirement Event.
Come honor our Utah Blue Star Families that serve and be graced with our Utah Gold Star Families that have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the privileges and freedoms we daily enjoy. They will be escorted by our National Guardsmen and Women of the Utah National Guard. through the Flag lined "Walk of Honor" by our Patriot Riders. Feel the Spirit of the National Anthem sung. See the Evolution of our countries flags as our Girl Scouts present the flags flown over U. S. Soil since her very early beginning, and learn the proper respects of retirement after it's daily historical usefulness in our behalf and retired by a Flag Retirement Honor Guard. Guest speaker Brigadier General Dallen S. Atack will address us on Patiotism and Service. A finale and historical performance of the historical 1940, Kate Smith, God Bless America will be performed.
Come join us for the most moving, entertaining and educational night you will ever experience about our Flag of The United States Of America and see her retired respectfully on behalf of a grateful nation honoring our Blue Star and Gold Star Families.
Public Welcome
Admission Free Seating Limited
Program:
Flag Retirement Program
Music provided by – Robert Peterson
“Walk of Honor”
National Guard Escorts
MC: Jim Evans
Introduction of Special Guest: Mayor Office, Freedom Festival Board of Directors and Committee Chairs Gold Star, Blue Star, MIA/POW Families
Welcome:
Prayer – Dr. Dean L. Jackson
Posting of Colors:
National Anthem – Serena Allred
Pledge of Allegiance - Casey Allen
Proclamation – Mayor’s Office - Hal Miller - Provo City Council - Chair
Introduction: Utah County Veterans Service Organization – Coordinator
Department Of Utah – State Commander - CSM ( R ) Randy D. Edwards
CSM Randy D. Edwards retired 3 month short of 38 years, July 6th, 2009 from the US Army Reserves. He has served Active Army with 7th Special Forces, 19th Special Forces and 1415th Engineers National Guard and Army Reserves Sergeant Major of the 91st Division 5th Brigade and Command Sergeant Major of a Quatermaster BN, 5th Brigade Command Sergeant Major of Health Services Brigade and Retired Command Sergeant Major of a Drill Sergeant Battalion.
He is currently Serving Utah as the Department (State) Commander for The American Legion. And is the Utah County Veterans Service Organizations Spokesperson and County Veterans Service Coordinator.
He will now present the Flag Retirement Ceremony
Randy:
General Atack, Honored Guests, Freedom Festival supporters, Community leaders, Ladies and Gentlemen…Fellow Americans and Patriots. Tonight We honor our country, our Flag and we honor those that are still serving, (our Blue Star Families)Those that have departed and paid the ultimate sacrifice (Our Gold Star Families) and those that are still missing our (Missing in Action) and those who have been Prisoners of War from Utah.
From the incredulous beginning of America is the story of passion and desire of people to be free. Freedom is not free. You have to pay the price and you have to sacrifice as the families before us have done for our freedoms to protect our liberties.
Fighting for our Freedoms has been recorded as far back as the Bible can be recorded However in the 1400’s France produced such a hereon as Joan of Arc. She is recorded saying that. “Every man gives his life for what he believes and every women gives her life for what she believes. Some believe in little or nothing and they give their lives to that little or nothing. One life is all we have. We live it as we believe it and then it is gone. But to surrender what you are and live without belief is more terrible than death itself and dying. So if we do not stand for something we will fall for anything.” When it came to defending her County she stated“ it was the Banner that filled her men with confidence.
Ladies and Gentlemen We will now be filled with pride and confidence as we see our banners that have flown on United States soil since her birth. Elona Shelly will present the History and Evolution of our Flags as the Girl Scouts from troop 997 Springville post them for your pleasure.
The Evolution of The Flags
Evolution of The Flag – Elona Shelly
Historic Flags with Illustrations
1. Cross of St. George
A white flag with a red cross recall the legend of St. George and the dragon.
According to the legend, St. George saved a princess by killing a fire breathing
dragon. Dipping his lance in the dragon’s blood, he drew a red cross on his
white shield. Popular with soldiers throughout Europe, this story prompted the English to adopt
St. George as their patron saint. English soldiers wore the cross of St. George front and back on
their tunics, and the red cross on a white field became the flag of England. This flag came to
America with the earliest settlers in Jamestown and Plymouth.
2. British Union Flag of 1606
When Queen Elizabeth I died childless, King James VI of Scotland inherited
her throne as King James I of England. His two realms were united by
parliament in 1606 as the United Kingdom, and a new Union Flag came into
existence to combine the Cross of St. George with the Scots blue flag bearing the X shaped white
cross of St. Patrick, Scotland’s patron saint. Early colonists in America also flew the Union
Flag, often called the Union Jack or the Kings Colors, from their ships.
3. The Gadsden Flag
Benjamin Franklin is said to have once remarked that if Britain kept sending
her soldier to North America, the American colonists should send their
rattlesnakes to London. The rattlesnake like New England’s pine tree was a
popular symbol of the American Revolution. The Gadsden Flag pictured a
coiled rattlesnake with the motto, “DON’T TREAD ON ME” and its message was obvious.
4. Pine Tree Flag
New Englanders cut out the Union Jack from a Red Ensign and replaced the
British Crosses with a green pine tree on a white field. The choice of this
emblem was obvious for the forested colonies of New England.
5. New England Flag
The pine tree emblem appeared in several different flags in New England. The
pine tree was an obvious symbol of the wooded regions of the New England
Colonies.
6. The Taunton Flag
In 1774 residents of Taunton Massachusetts added the words LIBERTY AND
UNION to the field of a Red Ensign.
7. Grand Union Flag
Six white stripes were added to break up the red field of the Red Ensign creating a new flag with thirteen red and white stripes to symbolize the thirteen colonies rebelling against British rule. Yet, before the Declaration of Independence many Americans felt they were fighting not for separation but for their rights as Englishmen.
8. Betsy Ross Flag When the Declaration of Independence brought complete separation of the colonies from Great Britain, a new emblem of union replaced the British Union Jack. Thirteen stars on a blue field symbolized that as a new constellation rises in the nighttime sky, the thirteen United States of America rose to take its place among the empires of the world. There were many patterns of thirteen stars used during America’s early days. The circle of thirteen stars recalls the legend of Betsy Ross and the making of the first stars and stripes. Her story is doubted by many, but her name is better known than other women of the American Revolution.
9. Bennington Flag
Although featuring thirteen stars and thirteen stripes, the Bennington Flag added the numerals 76 at the center of an arc of stars in the flag’s union. The numbers recall 1776, the year the United States declared independence. While legend says that the flag was flown at the Battle of Bennington in 1777, many historian believe the flag was made some years later when the concept of the “Spirit of 76” gained popularity.
10. Navy Stars and Stripes
The young U.S. Navy flew several versions of the Stars and Stripes during the American Revolution. One pattern, said to have been designed by Francis Hopkinson, had stars arranged in five rows of 3-2-3-2-3. John Paul Jones even flew a American ensign with a field of thirteen stripes of red white and blue.
11. Fifteen Stars and Fifteen Stripes
After independence was won, new states joined with the original thirteen to begin America’s growth to fill the continent. Congress modified the flag’s design to add two new stars and two new stripes. This flag saw America’s independence challenged during the War of 1812. Fort McHenry’s commander, Major Armistead, order a garrison for the fort so large that the British would have no trouble seeing it, even at a distance. Francis Scott Key also had not trouble spotting the flag “at the dawn’s early light,” and he was inspired to write the words for the U.S. National Anthem.
12. Twenty Star Flag
As new states joined the American Union, it became obvious that it would be impractical to add both stars and stripes for each new state. A growing constellation of stars was acceptable, but too many stripes would spoil the flag’s design. By 1817 five new states joined with the fifteen represented on the flag, and on July Fourth of 1818 the field of stars increased to twenty as the number of stripes
reverted to thirteen. This established the pattern that a new star would be added to the flag on the Independence day following the admission of each new state.
13. Thirty-four Star Flag
At the beginning of the Civil War Kansas joined the Union as the 34th State. Lincoln refused to remove the stars for the states which formed the Confederacy, and the 34 Star Flag was the flag carried by Union soldiers during most of the Civil War. West Virginia was admitted as a state in 1863 adding a new star to the flag on July 4th of that year. Nevada joined the Union in late 1864, and so the 36 star flag did not become official until after the ward had ended.
14. Forty-eight Star Flag
In 1912 Arizona and New Mexico joined the Union and the total number of states increased to forty-eight. The forty-eight star flag would fly over the United State through two World Wars and the Korean conflict. This flag symbolized the strength and unity of the United States during the long struggle against communism known as the Cold War.
15. Forty-nine Star Flag
Alaska’s admission into the Union created the first state not contingent with the forty-eight. For the first time in forty-seven years the flag changed to include a new star, but the new flag would be official for only one year.
16. Fifty star flag Our current version of Old Glory came into existence with the admission of our fiftieth state, Hawaii, which stretched national borders far into the Pacific Ocean. Now our flag for more than half a century, the Stars and Stripes bearing 50 stars leads the United States into a new century. The heir of the flag of our history that have gone before, the Flag of the United States is in our charge and keeping. Whether it remains at fifty stars or welcomes new stars to its constellation, it will have the meaning we give it.
Flag Program: CSM ( R ) Randy D. Edwards
CSM (R) Edwards Retirement Presentation:
Blue Star Families Serving today in Uniform - – Americanism & Patriotism
Gold Star Families – Lost lives during conflict
Missing In Action
Prisoners of War – MIA - POW
– Exra Taft Bensen said ””Patriotism is more than flag-waving and fireworks. It is how we respond to public issues. If we ask only, What’s in this proposal for me? And what do I get out of it? We are therefore not patriotic and we are not good citizens. But if we ask… Is this right? Is it good for the people? And would it preserve and strengthen our freedom? Then we deserve to stand in the company of great patriots. Patriotism is trying always to give more to the Nation than we receive. It is selfless service.
In summing his thoughts I thought he was saying what President John F. Kennedy said – “Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what can I do for my country?”
Our First Flag – is dedicated to our Utah Blue Star Families
Today's Active Service members and Warrior-Citizens is a tradition that continues as every Service Member, Army Reserve Soldier, and National Guard Family Member plays in a fundamental role in the defense of our nation.
Their duty, honor and commitment during these times of persistent conflict
around the world embody the same spirit of liberty and community
demonstrated by those early volunteer militiamen who secured our
independence as a free nation.
As we celebrate this Flag Day, take pride in knowing that we share with generations the great tradition of duty, honor, and patriotism. Every day you Blue star Families make unprecedented sacrifices in response to lengthy and repeated deployments. You are serving at a time when the stakes for our national security are high and the demands on you and your Families are significant. Moreover, you serve with an unwavering pride that is appreciated by the American people.
Finally, and most importantly, you are a positive investment for America's freedom, defense, and independence.
For that service to God, Family and Country we honor you and thank you for your service.
Would every Family that has served or is serving the Armed forces please stand and be recognized.
Our Second Flag is dedicated to our - Gold Star Families
This Flag flew from the Utah National Guard Headquarters in Draper Utah. It has flown over our State Headquarters as our men and women have been deployed. Although it has not flown for the entire war it has flown recently symbolizing every Service member deployed since 9-11.
The Gold Star is awarded to family members of men/woman who lost their life while IN COMBAT. Many people die while serving in our armed forces, everyday. Only the ones who were at war and are killed in action and are "casualties" of the war or "fallen soldiers" as many know them as, are awarded pins and flags.
The Families are incredibly honored to wear their Gold Star pin to honor and remember their lost ones. It is important to know that if you see someone wearing a Gold Star lapel pin or see a Gold Star Flag flying, that their immediate family member paid the ultimate sacrifice.
As of December 11, 2013
Current U.S. Military Casualties Breakdown by Service Branch (Since 9/11 - To Date)
Figures include the 13 casualties from the 2009 Fort Hood Shooting
U.S. Air Force: 153 U.S. Army: 4,908 U.S. Coast Guard: 1
U.S. Marine: 1,470 U.S. Navy: 226 Other: 21
If our last count is correct we have lost a total of all branches 94 from Utah on the War on Terror.
Would our Gold Stat Families please stand and let us honor you.
Our Third Flag is Dedicated to our – Missing in Action Families
Missing In action known as MIA’s are those individuals that are Service members that were last known alive and are un-accounted for.
Prepared by the Defense Intelligence Agency, and other information made available to the Vice-Chairman, A Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs. (The difference between 300 and 324 accounts for known incidents where one or more unidentified crew members were captured from a crew of more than one, or the aircraft was found with no trace of the crew.)
Based on the high number of MIAs at the end of the Vietnam war who are still unaccounted for (currently 1,170 persons for whom the United State Government does not know their fate), it is probable that a significant percentage of the MIAs
NOT on the current 324 lists actually survived their incident and could have been captured. Apparently, only the Vietnamese and Laotians would know their fate, as the U.S. Government does not. GIVEN THIS REALITY, THE LIST OF 324 NAMES WHICH are on the last known alive list IS AT BEST CONSERVATIVE.....
How often do we know anyone that is still waiting for that member to come home?… that someone next door… down the street or that some one you meet on the street and the acquaintances in our lives that are going through this loss, silently, alone and unnoticed.
Flags hang in abundance at each of these celebrations to show support to America to and to draw us together. However the meaning of Americanism and Patriotism has special meaning to everyone. To testify and give you a personal experience tonight I was a letter Carrier. As a letter carrier I met Doris Dingwall and Linda Calvert from Orem, Utah. The experience of Missing in Action will always bring back memories that none of us have ever experienced nor would they want us to ever experience.
What they have endured for decades is still on going. For Linda and Doris Dingwall after all these years their story is still being written and their waiting is still not over.
John (Jack) Francis Dingwall At age 17 he joined the Canadian Air Force. He he was too young to join the United States Armed Forces. shortly after his entering the Canadian Air Force the United States entered into the Second World War. A call went out for all Americans to return home and join the U.S. Military services. In May 1942 from Calgary, Canada, Jack enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. During WWII Jack served our Country in the South Pacific as a radio Operator, Navigator and aerial gunner. Jack never had cause to be awarded the Purple Heart.
The 2nd time he enlisted was the Korean Conflict so it wasn’t long before jack was sent overseas. Jack spent a lot of time in the front of the main body of the troops setting up contacts for communications. Again he survived with out serious injury and served stateside.
In June of 1964 Jack, his squadron and with a Sebee unit were sent to Chu lia, South Vietnam, located 50 miles south of DaNang. His job was to set up an operational airstrip.
The evening of July 7, 1965 the squad had been given instruction not to associate with the Vietnamese, not to deal with them in any fashion, and not to use American Currency. From witnesses Jack and SSgt Richard Bram were given a few hours liberty on the morning of July 8th, 1965. Until this day no information has concretely been found and Master Sergeant John (Jack) Francis Dingwill, United States Marine Corps has not been returned home.
Doris his wife and Linda his daughter (Who was 8 years old at that time) catch themselves year after year hoping that maybe this year they will get something….at least just anything. Jack Dingwall and Richard Bram
Were reported the 3rd and 4th Marines to be classified Missing In Action in Vietnam.
Therefore; in honor of Doris Dingwall and your two daughters we Honor you today, We retire the 3rd Flag in behalf of Jack and honor you for your courageous service and Sacrifice to our Country. Doris and Linda Would you please Raise you hands so that we may rise from our seats to stand and honor your presence with us tonight.
Our Fourth Flag is Dedicated to our – POW’s (Prisoners of War) and their Families.
Prisoners of War or POW’s , enemy prisoner of war (EPW) or "missing-captured"[1]) is a person, whether combatant or non-combatant, who is held in custody by a belligerent power during or immediately after an armed conflict. The earliest recorded usage of the phrase is dated 1660.
Captor states hold captured enemy combatants and non-combatants in custody for a range of legitimate and illegitimate reasons. They are held to isolate them from enemy combatants still in the field, to release and repatriate them in an orderly manner after hostilities, to demonstrate military victory, to punish them, to prosecute them for war crimes, to exploit them for their labor, to recruit or even conscript them as their own combatants, to collect military and political intelligence from them, and to indoctrinate them in new political or religious belief
The Fourth Flag recognizes a special group of Americans – those who have endured exceptional personal hardship and suffering to defend the ideals upon which this great nation was founded. We honor the sacrifices and remarkable determination of Veterans captured as Prisoners of War. We also remember those who remain unaccounted for and wish their Families some small comfort in knowing that America has not forgotten them.
America’s former prisoners of war are among our most revered heroes. They served with dignity and honor under the worst of human conditions – starvation, isolation, torture and the ever present threat of death. Yet even during their darkest hour, they demonstrated remarkable personal courage and unwavering devotion to God, Family and Country. Their strength is a testament to American character.
Because of their sacrifice, selflessness and heroism for all who have served in our Armed forces, Millions of people now live in freedom, and America remains the greatest force for good on earth. On this day we honor their role in protecting our country and the liberty of mankind. The Veteran Administration estimates that there are less than 32,500 surviving former POWs. The majority of these former prisoners were held during WWll and the Korean War. They are well into their 70’s and 80’s. Even today’s modern battlefield present challenges for full accountability. But America will not rest until each and every hero is accounted for.
If there are any in the audience and For the 52 Prisoners of war and their Families living in Utah alone could we have them stand and be recognized?
Flag code: Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1
Was adopted by the National Flag Conference, in Washington, D.C., on June
14th and 15th, 1923, It was Revised and Endorsed by the Second National Flag Conference, again in Washington, D.C., on May 15, 1924. The Flag Code has been revised several times until present with the 111th Congress, First Session, on July 27, 2009.
Pertaining too Flag Retirement Protocol The U.S. Flag Code Title 36, United States Code, Chapter 10 as amended States that, “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning”. (To those assembled here tonight understand that we are not burning the Flag, but rather that we are replacing the word burning with the word retiring. Retiring the Flag in this manner symbolizes the fire of purity then represents the Flag being honored and retired through the purity and purification of the fire to give it that honor)
“As we lay these Flags to rest we ask you to be remindful that our Flag is the symbol of our great nation. Acknowledging that the red signifies the blood of human sacrifice. It’s blue signifies the loyalty and dedication of it’s defenders and the white stands for purity, liberty and freedom which is ours only as long as we continue to protect it. The stars represent the united efforts and hopes in all Americans striving for a greater nobler America.
Ladies and Gentlemen: before you are Flags for Retirement. Each Flag holds A Personal significance and meaning to each of us. Every year The Freedom Festival At Provo, The Flag Retirement Committee has retired Flags that honor The American Dreams, Emigration to America, The American Industrial Dreams and accomplishments, Americanism, Patriotism, and personal Sacrifices and Selfless Service. Since the Kuwait invasion of 1990 termed Desert Storm many other campaigns have been waged in the name of War on Terrorism. Since the attack on the United States on 9-11 we have been at War known as the “War on Terrorism” On the premise of protecting our liberties and freedoms from that terror.
These Flags before you represent Americanism, Patriotism, Selfless Service, and Sacrifice. These Flags have been used, weathered and worn and can no longer be flown and are in need of retirement this day.
May we pray?
"Almighty God, High and Mighty Ruler of the Universe, be with us at this hour. Bless and consecrate these proceedings as may seem fitting in your sight.”
“We now stand before you giving thanks for our Country, The Sacrifices of these Families and their selfless service defending its Flag. We thank you for our liberty, for which our country stands and which our Flag represents. To clean and purging flame we commit these Flags, worn in worthy service. As they yield their substance to the fire, may your Holy Light spread over us and bring our hearts renewed devotion to God and Country.” Amen
As we lay these Flags to rest we would ask that as the flags are retired that personal conversations, phone texting and communications cease, silence and respect to the ceremony Please be observed. As the Flags are brought forward would you please stand and render her your personal respect
Ladies and Gentlemen: would you please all rise as the Flags are retired and the taps are played.
Flag Detail: Present the Colors for Retirement and Retire the Colors on behalf of a grateful Nation. (Color Guard Retires the Flags)
Taps are played – Robert Peterson
Thank you You may be seated
On Behalf of the Provo Freedom Festival Retirement Committee:
MAY OUR Symbols REST IN PEACE, May your Families feel the love and compassion from our community to you and may our country be better because of your service and our Service Members Personal Sacrifice doing what they knew was what they were committed to do. May God Bless America.
Brigadier General Dallen S. Atack – Jim Evans Introduction
Ladies, Gentlemen Honored Guests it gives us great pleasure to introduce our Guest Speaker. Brigadier General Dallen Atack
General Atack enlisted in the Utah Army National Guard in 1986 with a Military Intelligence Unit. He graduated for Brigham Young University and commissioned as a second lieutenant. In 1988 he served as a traditional Guardsman for three years and joined the ranks of the Utah’s Guards full-time force in 1991 as the Fire Direction Officer for First Battalion, 140th Field Artillery.
His subsequent assignments include personnel Officer, Targeting Officer, Operations Officer, Executive Officer, Company commander, Commander of Recruiting, and Retention Battalion, and later Commander of the 1-145th Field Artillery.
In 2010-2011 he deployed to the Horn of Africa (Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the Operations Officer for the Special Operations Command and Control Element.
Upon his return from deployment he served as Director of Human Resources for the Utah National Guard before being assigned as Assistant Adjutant General – Army, his current position. In this post he has the responsibility for the training and readiness of the more than 5,700 Soldiers of the Utah Army National Guard.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Brigadier General Dallen Atack.
(BG Atack Speaks)
God Bless America - Kate Smith History – Jim Evans
God Bless America Introduction.....
Frank Sinatra considered Kate Smith the best singer of her time, and said that when he and a million other guys first heard her sing "God Bless America " on the radio, they all pretended to have dust in their eyes as they wiped away a tear or two. We should know the story behind the first public showing of the song. The time was 1940. America was still in a terrible economic depression. Hitler was taking over Europe and Americans were afraid we'd have to go to war. It was a time of hardship and worry for most Americans. This was the era just before TV, when radio shows were HUGE, and American families sat around their radios in the evenings, listening to their favorite entertainers, and no entertainer of that era was bigger than Kate Smith. Kate was also large; plus size, as we now say, and the popular phrase still used today is in deference to her, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings". Kate Smith might not have made it big in the age of TV, but with her voice coming over the radio, she was the biggest star of her time.Kate was also patriotic. It hurt her to see Americans so depressed and afraid of what the next day would bring. She had hope for America , and faith in her fellow Americans. She wanted to do something to cheer them up, so she went to the famous American song-writer, Irving Berlin (who also wrote "White Christmas") and asked him to write a song that would make Americans feel good again about their country. When she described what she was looking for, he said he had just the song for her. He went to his files and found a song that he had written, but never published, 22 years before - way back in 1917. He gave it to her and she worked on it with her studio orchestra. Kate Smith and Irving Berlin were not sure how the song would be received by the public, but both agreed they would not take any profits from God Bless America. Any profits would go to the Boy Scouts of America. Over the years, the Boy Scouts have received millions of dollars in royalties from this song.Can you imagine Kate Smith coming into the radio studio with the orchestra and an audience? She introduces the new song for the very first time, and starts singing. To this day, God Bless America stirs our patriotic feelings and pride in our country. Back in 1940, when Kate Smith went looking for a song to raise the spirits of her fellow Americans, I doubt whether she realized just how successful the results would be for her fellow Americans during those years of hardship and worry..... and today many generations of Americans sing this song with our it’s history. Now that you know the story of the song, I hope you'll enjoy it and treasure it even more. As traditional Irving Berlin music Many people don't know there's a lead in to the song since it usually starts with "God Bless America ....." So here's the entire song as originally sung: Played by Bob Peterson and sung by Serena Kanig Benish
God Bless America – Sung by: Serena Kanig Benish
Ceremony Ended 9 PM
