This past Saturday, Rep. Andy Billig took part in Spokane’s first annual Flag Day Parade.
The Flag Day Parade and Celebration began at the Convention Center and ended with a flag retirement ceremony at Veterans Park. The procession included veterans organizations, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, reenactment groups, city officials and the 560th Air Force Band as well as elected officials.
The flag retirement ceremony honored Spokane-area World War II veterans from all military branches, and eight 48-star flags from that era were retired at the ceremony. The fires in which the flags were burned – which is allowed under the U.S. Flag Code – were started with wood from trees planted by George Washington in the late 1700s.
“It was an honor to take part in the inaugural Flag Day ceremony here in Spokane,” said Rep. Billig, who was one of several dignitaries to say a few words over the retired flags. “And an opportunity to show our respect for those who served in World War II.”
