Wednesday, Apr 9, 2008
Philadelphia, PA – Independence National Historical Park (INDE) was proud to join the ranks of 26 patriotic and historic sites participating in “Old Glory’s Journey of Remembrance” to honor the service and sacrifice of America’s fallen heroes, with a flag-raising ceremony held on March 31.
During the six-month Journey of Remembrance, organized by the White House Commission on Remembrance, an American flag flown over the USS Arizona Memorial on December 7, 2007, on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, will visit 26 national cemeteries and historic battlefield locations.
The ceremony at INDE included remarks by veterans and military representatives, including: Bob McMahon, Vietnam Veteran and Mayor of Media, PA; Commander Gerald Hawk; Brigadier General James Joseph; and veteran Jim Williams. During the flag raising ceremony, the audience enjoyed music performed by the Churchville Children’s Chorus and the Muhlenberg High School Camerata.
A highlight was the participation of Ed Kane, 78, originally from Philadelphia and a survivor of Pearl Harbor, who joined the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry and INDE Law Enforcement Rangers Mary Town, Ryan McLeod and Steven Wukovitz in raising Old Glory.
INDE Superintendent Cynthia MacLeod and White House Commission on Remembrance Executive Director Carmella LaSpada offered comments of support and thanks to our nation’s veterans. “Independence National Historical Park is honored to be a part of Old Glory’s Journey,” said Superintendent Cynthia MacLeod. “We are here today to remember the ideals that our Founders put down in writing, and we are also here today to recognize the men and women who have fought for those ideals.”
In addition to 10 VA National and State cemeteries, the flag will be flown at battlefields and other historic sites such as Valley Forge NHP, Appomattox Court House, the Gettysburg battlefield and Fort McHenry. Old Glory will end its journey at the U.S. Capitol on Memorial Day, May 26, 2008, where it will take part in the National Moment of Remembrance ceremony.
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