PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Memorial Day ceremony in front of Independence Hall on Monday morning paid tribute to Americans who fought and died for the country. A center point of the event was the presentation of a large flag that honors the women and men who served.
At dawn, as the 14-by-18-foot flag was put on display, a few dozen veterans stood in front of the landmark building, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and adopted.
The flag, called "America’s Heroes Flag Art," was pieced together by the veterans-focused nonprofit Spirit of Liberty Foundation. It comprises several existing flags: the Stars and Stripes up top, and the branches of the military below; and running up the left and right sides are images of people throughout history who have worn a military uniform in service of the country. They are famous and not so famous, and all vital characters in the American story.
"A real collection, from 1776 to today. Men and women who have fought in the armed forces," said Richard Rovsek, the Foundation's chairman. "They come from the country, they come from the city, they come from the wealthy, they come from the poor. They are every race and religion."
Rovsek took care to emphasize that Memorial Day is more than the unofficial start of summer: "This is the day that we thank those who sacrificed the ultimate sacrifice — their life."
Very few of this style of ceremony have been happening since the pandemic hit, and underlying the main message about military sacrifice was an acknowledgement of the sacrifices health care workers and first responders have made in the last 15 months.
Pennsylvania VFW Commander Ron Peters says he is hopeful that events like this will really stick with people and remind them that far too many who served did not come back home.
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"We should remember that every day," he said, "because the freedoms we have in this country are precious. Precious."
The debates that took place at the site of Independence Hall in the 18th century were as heated as depates that occupy Washington, D.C., today. And Peters says there is something in that for all of us to learn from: the importance of putting aside individual differences to make achievements for the common good.
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"There’s no better example of the patriotism of our nation than those who swear an oath to protect America," he said.
After the event in Philadelphia on Monday morning, the flag was transported to the nation's capital for a similar ceremony at the base of the Washington Monument.