The Tempe Elks will hold two special ceremonies in advance of Flag Day, which is set for Saturday, June 14.

 The first event takes place 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 11 at the Tempe Elks Lodge, 2320 S. Hardy Drive. The following day, at 3 p.m., the ceremony will be held in the Tempe City Council Chambers at City Hall, 31 E. Fifth St.

In both ceremonies, the outside flags will be retired and replaced with new ones.  Attendees will then go inside and witness the presentation of all of the flags this great country has flown. The Tempe Elks will then give the history of each flag and response to what that flag represents.

Following the ceremony on June 12, the flags will be on display in the foyer of Tempe City Hall for about a week. This ceremony at City Hall will be videotaped and aired several times on the Tempe city public television channel.  Each ceremony will last approximately 30 minutes.

If you have never observed this ceremony, it is very moving and informative.  The public is encouraged to attend either of the ceremonies or both of them. For additional information, call the Tempe Elks Lodge at 480-967-3160.