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Storms Don't Dampen Spirit During Patriotic Flag Day

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By ANGELA DELGADO

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 10, 2008

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - A few drops of water from the heavens wasn't going to keep the crowd of about 100 from waving their flags high and proud Monday afternoon.

"Rain or shine, you're patriots whether it's raining or not," said Silvia Olson, 57, as she held two flags in her hand but no umbrella outside the Tampa Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 5500 Memorial Highway, for its Patriotic Flag Day.

The honks from appreciative passing drivers were welcome; the lightning was a different story.

As the storm worsened, the brave crowd ran inside the center just in time for the free barbecue dinner. The cold and wet attendees, along with the several hundred already inside, warmed up with chicken, ribs, meat, coleslaw, Texas toast and tea.

That's just what organizer Tom Vann wanted; a crowd happy regardless of the outside conditions.

"Let's wave the flags under the cover, eat and have a great patriotic day," he said.

Vann decided to have the Flag Day celebration Monday rather than Saturday on the national Flag Day because he thought the end of school would cause many in the community to go on vacation this weekend.

"We'll have a big crowd tonight," he said.

Aside from the food, those attending were entertained by Debby Bacon before the main program began.

This year the event honored all Vietnam veterans and included reading the 439 names of local service members who lost their lives during that war.

"When the Vietnam War was over, a lot of them didn't receive the recognition," Vann said.

The festivities also had presentations of gold medals for children who lost a parent in Afghanistan or Iraq. Bryan Christian Luckey Jr., 20 months, lost his father, Army Sgt. Bryan Luckey, on June 29, 2006, when he was shot by an enemy sniper while riding on the back of a Stryker vehicle in Mosul, Iraq.

"It feels good that they're honoring him," said junior's grandfather, Patrick Luckey.

Reporter Angela Delgado can be reached at (813) 865-1501 or adelgado@tampatrib.com.

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