Each June 14, Flag Day offers a moment to reflect on the history and meaning behind the nation's flag. In Columbia, that reflection takes shape in a long-standing community tradition, as the local Elks lodge gathers residents to honor the flag and the values it represents.

The Columbia-Middletown Elks 1074 will host its annual Flag Day ceremony on Sunday, June 14, at 1 p.m. The event will be held in the gazebo in Locust Street Park, 550 Locust St., Columbia.

"The Elks officers and trustees, led by Exalted Ruler Valerie Kissinger, will present the Elks Flag Day ceremony to celebrate the history of our country's flag," said Robin Gamby, who is helping to organize the event. "Assisting with the ceremony are the Frontier Girls, Boy Scout Troop 35 and Columbia Cub Pack 35. Our guest speaker will be author, editor and historian Mark Stewart."

Columbia mayor Leo Lutz will address the audience and issue a proclamation. The Scouts will hand out small flags and lapel pins to the audience prior to the ceremony.

Local Elks lodges throughout the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Panama Canal celebrate Flag Day on or around the official date of June 14. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is the only fraternal organization to require a formal observance of Flag Day.

"In July of 1908, the Elks Grand Lodge provided for the annual nationwide observance of Flag Day on the 14th of June each year, making it mandatory for each subordinate lodge in the Order," Gamby shared.

June 14 was officially established as Flag Day by a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. Flag Day was not a national observance until 1949. At that time, President Harry Truman, who was an Elks member, was inspired through his lodge in Independence, Mo., to sign an act of Congress that dedicated June 14 to the symbol of our country.

The Elks are one of the premier patriotic and charitable organizations in the United States. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has made more than $12 billion in donations since it formed 158 years ago. There are nearly 2,000 Elks lodges across the country, with a total membership of more than 750,000.

"The local Columbia-Middletown Elks 1074 lodge has over 700 members and has invested around $480,000 over the past five years to enrich our local community," Gamby said. Projects of the local lodge include organizing a local hoop shoot event that feeds into a national competition, participating in events such as the Thunder on the River Car Show and holding community blood drives.

Gamby invites everyone to come out to the Flag Day ceremony, noting that it's an opportunity to enjoy fellowship and patriotism with your neighbors.

"Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy this patriotic celebration of our country's flag," she said.

To learn more about the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, visit http://www.elks.org. For more information on the local lodge, search for "Columbia-Middletown Elks #1074" on Facebook.