SIMI VALLEY : Elks Stage Event for Flag Day at Reagan Library

A representative of Gov. Pete Wilson was on hand Sunday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley to help the local Elks Lodge celebrate Flag Day, which is officially observed today.

As dozens of people looked on, Richard Brandeburg of the state Department of Veterans Affairs presented a proclamation to Ken Willmon, exalted ruler of the Simi Valley Elks.

“The Elks Lodge is the one that actually founded this ceremony,” Willmon said. “It’s showing loyalty to the American way of life. It hinges around Elks being American citizens who live in this country and are ready to die for it.”

Six American flags dating to colonial times were presented at the annual observance, Willmon said.

“The purpose of the service is to honor our country’s flag, celebrate the anniversary of its birth and recall the achievements of all the battles,” he said.

It was the second time the ceremony has been staged against the backdrop of the Reagan Library, organizers said.

“It went real well, but we didn’t have nearly the crowd we thought we would,” Willmon said. “We had about 50 people, but last year we had about 150. We were probably competing with a lot of other activities for a Sunday afternoon.”