The
SUN CITY JULY 21, 2026 • SECTION SCS I VOLUME 29, ISSUE 7 Members of a local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution participated in the Sun City Veterans Association’s Flag Day celebration. PHOTO BY WARD LITZENBERG
SCVA celebrates Old Glory’s enduring story
BY JOE TURINO Contributor
As the Stars and Stripes entered Pinckney Hall, carried by the SCVA Color Guard, the audience rose as one, not simply to honor a flag but to celebrate the ideals it has represented for 250 years. Residents filled the hall for a patriotic program featuring the SCVA Color Guard and Marching Unit, Ridgeland High School Marine Corps JROTC, the Sun City Singers, and representatives of the Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution, the Lowcountry Civil War Roundtable and the Patriot Guard Riders. SCVA Commander Al Richter welcomed attendees by reminding them that “Flag Day provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the history, ideals and sacrifices represented by the Stars and Stripes.”
One of the morning’s most compelling presentations came from SCVA Executive Officer and retired U.S. Navy Capt. Joe Delcambre, who traced the evolution of flags over thousands of years, from battlefield and maritime communication tools to enduring national symbols. That history set the stage for one of the program’s defining messages: “The American flag commands such pride. It represents the courage that won our freedom, the re-
solve that preserved it, and the spirit that compels us to stand for liberty wherever it is threatened.” Other speakers also carried the audience through the story of the Stars and Stripes, illustrating how it has remained America’s enduring symbol of courage, sacrifice, freedom and hope. From the Revolutionary War to the defense of Fort McHenry, the Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm
and the Global War on Terror, America’s story unfolded through the changing Stars and Stripes. Each generation added another chapter to a flag that continues to symbolize courage, sacrifice, freedom and hope. The ceremony also recognized National Women Veterans Recognition Day, paying tribute to generations of women whose service has strengthened America’s armed forces and helped protect the nation’s freedoms. Patriotic selections by the Sun City Singers, presentations by JROTC cadets and the “Old Glory” tribute brought the audience to its feet. As the final notes of “God Bless America” echoed through Pinckney Hall and the colors were retired, one truth remained unmistakable: For 250 years, the Stars and Stripes have told America’s story, woven with sacrifice, resilience, unity and freedom.