On each and every light pole at Ryan Buick GMC was a red, white & blue banner that resembled the American Flag in honor of Flag Day 2025. Flag Day is a holiday celebrated on June 14 in the United States. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. As Chris Gaddie, Director of Public Affairs of the Ryan Family Dealership group explained, this year the Ryan sponsored event was held on June 13th “because we don’t want to be in competition with the Minot Air Force Base open house, which was scheduled for Saturday, June 24th. “We also moved it inside. We have often battled the wind” according to Gaddie, “but the air quality this year made it necessary to bring the ceremony indoors.”
Although the Ryan group sponsored, provided a location and staffing for the event, Gaddie turned the event over to the Minot DAV, and emcee Frank Senn, DAV Chapter #4 Commander. After thanking the crowd that had assembled, Senn asked the audience to stand and quickly brought them to attention for the presentation of colors by the Minot Air Force Base color guard.
Then the Voices of Note, a local women’s choral group sang the National Anthem followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer.
It was Col. Jimmy Schlabach that approached the podium next, and his speech was filled with both historical and emotional moments that have challenged the United States over the years. Col Schlabach is the Commander of the 91st Missile Wing at Minot AFB.
The next 2 events were significantly Flag Day recognition as a large American Flag was brought forward and there was an American Flag folding demonstration center stage. Along with the actual demonstration there was a narrative about the Flag Folding Ceremony. A flag folding ceremony is a formal ritual, often performed at military funerals or other solemn occasions, where the American flag is meticulously folded into a specific triangular shape. Each fold carries symbolic meaning, representing various aspects of the nation, its history, and the values it upholds.
Commander Senn then introduced members of DAV Chapter 4 performing a recognition of TAPS. It was explained that there are 3 verses to TAPS. As each a narrator spoke each verse, a single candle was extinguished on a table display:
Day is done, Gone the sun, From the hills, From the lake, From the skies
All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh
Fades the light; And afar, Goeth day, And the stars, Shineth bright,
Fare thee well, Day has gone, Night is on.
Thanks, and praise, For our days. ‘Neath the sun, ‘Neath the stars, ‘Neath the sky, |
As we go, This we know, God is nigh.
Performing Taps for the Flag Day Ceremony was Pat Schwan.
Perhaps the most defining moment of the Flag Day Ceremony came from Commander Senn when he explained; “I often have people approach me and thank me for my service. But I explain to them that I appreciate their words, but really, I never considered it (my time in the military) as a service. Instead, I felt it was my duty.”
The day indeed was one of those Red, White & Blue experiences that certainly define our great nation. And moreover, build respect for our great flag.
