By Rachel Cook

Special to the Tribune

On June 14, the sun was shining, the sky was blue and cloudless, and the little log cabin on Cornersville Road was shady and inviting. Around 20 people gathered on its lawn that morning to attend the Daughters of the American Revolution Flag Day Ceremony, an annual tradition in Lewisburg since 1946.

Bonnie Scheuchenzuber, Regent of Marshall County's chapter of the DAR, gave the opening remarks. She expressed hope that attendance at Flag Day events will grow in later years, especially because 2016 will be Flag Day's 100th birthday.

After the opening prayer, Sgt. 1st Class Reese Rollins and Sgt. 1st Class Royce Rollins (of G Troop, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee Army National Guard) performed the raising of the flag. The national anthem was sung by Katie Jewell, and Scheuchenzuber led the recitation of the Pledge of Alliegiance.

Frieda Johnson, the new director of veterans services for Marshall County, was the keynote speaker.

Her address was brief yet heartfelt, praising the flag as a "beacon of strength and support" in dark times such as the landing on Iwo Jima and the Sept. 11 bombings. Johnson closed with the famous chorus of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA".

After the closing prayer, the flag was lowered and folded by the same men who raised it. This solemn moment was even observed by oncoming traffic from Yell Road, which stopped until the flag was properly folded.

When asked about her opinion on the importance of continuing Flag Day ceremonies, Johnson was firm.

"If we don't remember our symbols," she said, "our pride will not carry over to the next generation."