Most Americans know that our nation’s Independence Day will again be celebrated on Monday, July 4. The bet here is that far fewer people in our area —and throughout the nation — know that Flag Day is celebrated on June 14.
Well, Shops at Wiregrass mall GM Greg Lenners is hoping that he has started a new tradition by unveiling a new, 80-foot-tall flagpole (and 8’ x 12’ American flag) on Piazza Ave. in the center of the Shops. Although the event didn’t have great public attendance (only about 50-60 total attendees), several local political dignitaries were on hand for the celebration and raising of the flag — to only half-staff, in honor and memory of the 49 people who were murdered in Orlando just two days before (on June 12). Lenners opened the event with several moments of silence for those who fell and prayers for the survivors and all of the families affected.
Lenners, who pulled the plug on the Wesley Chapel Rotary Club’s fifth annual Freedom Festival (see stories on pages 1 and 4) at the Shops due to safety concerns, said, “We had to kill Freedom Fest, but to show our patriotic support, we finally installed the flag right there at the valet circle. And, it only took 7-1/2 years to find the perfect spot for the flagpole.”
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Pasco County commissioners Mike Moore and Ted Schrader, State Reps. Danny Burgess and Shawn Harrison and Rotary District 6950 Rotarian of the Year (see page 10) Eric Johnson of the Williams Auto Group and the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Club, who sang the national anthem.
Also part of the event were local law enforcement officials on horseback, a beautiful color guard flag-raising ceremony and several active and retired U.S. military veterans.
“The Flag Day event isn’t a replacement for the Freedom Festival,” Lenners said. “But it is a nice little memorial and a patriotic nod and we hope it will become a popular annual event here.”
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