Holley revels in a festive Flag Day

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Community celebrates the occasion – in a big way

Photos by Tom Rivers

About 600 Holley Elementary School students marched down North Main Street, through the Public Square and to the Murray-Holley Historical Society for a program honoring the flag and students with good citizenship.

HOLLEY – They wore big smiles and red-white-and-blue outfits, and they were passionate wavers of Old Glory during a Flag Day celebration in Holley today.

About 600 Holley Elementary School students marched from the school down North Main Street, working their way through the Public Square to the Murray-Holley Historical Society for a Flag Day program.

Holley, for the 56th year, put on a festive, patriotic celebration of Flag Day. The parade route was lined with many parents, grandparents and community members, there to support the students. Bleachers were brought in at the Save-A-Lot parking lot for the crowd to watch students be honored with citizenship awards. The elementary band and chorus also performed patriotic songs, including “Fifty, Nifty United States.”

Local elected officials joined students in singing the “Star Spangled Banner.”

“It’s amazing how the entire community embraces this event,” said Robert D’Angelo, the district superintendent. “It brings the entire community together unlike any event I’ve seen.”

Local fire departments were part of the parade. Retired Holley teachers also came back for Flag Day, and they were introduced to students and community members. One retired teacher, Virginia Robb, has been to 55 of the 56 Flag Day events.

Students, after marching in a parade, joined in singing, “Fifty, Nifty United States.”