Flag Day

Week of June 11, 1950 An invasion of army worms was reported near Boonsboro and Chewsville today and County agent Mark Miller believes there is a strong possibility the area around Clear Spring also is infested with the worm that has already caused heavy damage to grain and pasture crops on the Eastern Shore and several counties in Western Maryland. Hagerstown's population is 36,181 - a figure smaller than all estimates made during the past several years.

The U.S. flag was the center of attention during a Flag Day ceremony in Hagerstown's Public Square. April Benner kicked off the celebration honoring the red, white and blue by singing the "Star-Spangled Banner. " Lewis Metzner, Hagerstown City Council member and emcee for the ceremony, said Flag Day is an another day to remember those who served their country and the symbolism that the flag represents. "I want to thank all the veterans who served in wars," Metzner said.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - A lone bugler called retreat Wednesday at 7:20 p.m. and will continue each evening through the Fourth of July at veteran and fraternal organizations around the Chambersburg area to honor the U.S. flag and those who have served the banner. "This is something peculiar to this area," Franklin County Sheriff Robert Wollyung, president of the Cumberland Valley 21-Day Retreat Organization, said last week. Since 1985, the organization has held retreat ceremonies from Flag Day to Independence Day. Since 1986, the retreats have culminated with a fireworks display at Chambersburg's Memorial Park.

by JOE CROCETTA / staff photographer enlargement Sandwiched between Memorial Day in May and Independence Day in July, Flag Day gets shortchanged. That's something Hagerstown Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II would like to change. Bruchey, who presided over a small ceremony Sunday at Public Square, said Flag Day ought to inspire the same deference other national holidays do. "It's a Sunday and I know people have things to do," he said. "But the people who showed up here today also had things to do, and they still showed.

The City of Hagerstown is holding a Flag Day ceremony on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the southwest corner of Public Square near the Peoples building, according to Karen Giffin, city spokeswoman. Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II and Miss Maryland are expected to attend the ceremony. Also on hand will be members of the Municipal Band and the Hagerstown City Police Department's honor guard.

by Don Aines enlargement CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - There are times when burning the American flag is the right thing to do. Life Scout Aaron Kakiel, of Boy Scout Troop 128, plans to burn dozens of them on Flag Day. When Old Glory is so tattered, torn, faded or soiled that "it is no longer fit to serve as the symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner," according to "Our Flag," a...

By DAVE McMILLION Staff Writer Washington County politicians called for a ban on flag burning and increased patriotism in the country during a Flag Day ceremony in downtown Hagerstown Saturday. Although he supports the First Amendment, Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II said he wants a ban on burning the U.S. flag. Washington County Commissioner Ronald L. Bowers said respect for the flag has de-clined, and people need to show renewed honor for their country. "We do need a little more patriotism in our heart.