Flag Day is celebrated on June 14th each year to remember the adoption of the stars and stripes to our national flag. For most people, this holiday comes and goes without much notice but for veterans, the flag is a daily reminder of their service.
“The flag that we wear on our shoulder, the flag that we support and love dearly in combat, there is not a greater honor quite frankly,” said retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Dave Lewis. “Sadly many of us watch buddies come home covered in that flag so it’s significant.”
Colonel Lewis, Vet Star and several other veterans dedicated flags to local businesses and people who go out of their way to support veteran and veteran causes. The flag folding ceremony is a special ritual that involves folding the flag into a triangle.
Ten local organizations received the flag including Reagor Dykes Auto Group, The Refuge and Breedlove Foods.
“We do have over 20,000 veterans in our area and they are here. We don’t wear our uniforms anymore but they’re here supporting the community,” Lewis said.
CEO of Reagor Dykes Bart Reagor was emotional about receiving a flag.
“That flag, it represents our county,” Reagor said. “We’ve had a lot of people pay a big price, some their lives, to have the freedom that we have.”
It’s common for veterans to face isolation after retiring or returning from combat. Lewis says events like these can help unite the veteran communities here in Lubbock.
“I took an oath as a commander to not leave anybody behind on a battlefield,” Lewis said. “This is a new battlefield, one we didn’t necessarily train them for, so we can’t leave anyone.”
Vet Star hopes to open a community center later this summer to connect veterans to needed resources and one another.
CLICK HERE for more information on Vet Star.