A Banner Day For Old Glory

Published: Jun 15, 2007

TOWN - 'N COUNTRY - A couple hundred patriotic people lined up in front of the Tampa Scottish Rite Masonic Center on Thursday to honor the U.S. flag and wave it proudly for Flag Day.

Drivers passing the crowd along Memorial Highway honked their horns to show appreciation.

"It wakes a lot of people to what they've forgotten," said Martha Springston, 83, of Tampa. "What the flag means to them; how much our country means to everybody.

"We love our country," she said, flag in hand. "There's no place like the good ol' U.S.A."

Newcomers to the Flag Day event included Michelle Hyde, 29, and her sons Pi, 2, and Zeno, 9 months.

"I think it's good for them to learn about patriotism and loving their country," Hyde said.

Throughout the afternoon more than 700 people attended the event. The crowd feasted on barbecued ribs and chicken, enjoyed live music and heard a speech by country music star Mel Tillis.

"It means to me that we have a large group of our population that loves America, that loves the American flag," organizer Tom Vann said.

"This is the reason I work so hard on it each year."

Angela Delgado