Jill Schramm/MDN National Guard members fold a flag at Monday’s Flag Day ceremony as Wendy Walker, left, Disabled American Veterans historian, provides commentary on the significance of each of the 13 folds.

A Flag Day ceremony in Minot Monday paid tribute to the Stars and Stripes and local veterans while raising money to support veteran services.

Organizers were pleased with the first of what they hope will become an annual event.

“This is something we are going to get on board with and start making plans for next year. We have a good partner with the Ryan Family Dealerships,” said Doug Benjamin, Chapter 4 commander with the Disabled American Veterans. “We’re fortunate that they have decided that they want to help us.”

Partnering with the DAV, Ryan Buick GMC Cadillac hosted Monday’s ceremony. It matched the $1,581 in freewill donations from attendees to present $3,200 to the DAV.

“It’s all volunteers,” Benjamin said of the DAV administration, “so every dime we raise is spent on something for the veterans.”

The local DAV has supported the veterans home in Lisbon, veterans cemetery in Mandan, Honor Flights to Washington, D.C., and a program to take disabled veterans fishing. Additionally, it is part of a nationwide organization that supports veteran job fairs, provides transportation to medical appointments and assists with benefit claims.

Proceeds from the Flag Day event will go to benefit local veterans, with special emphasis on helping individuals meet health challenges.

Minot’s inaugural Flag Day event drew an estimated 350 people to the free lunch and about 120 people to the Veterans Appreciation Flag Day program, according to Ryan Family Dealerships. Attending were Lynn Aas and John Sinn, two 100-year-old World War II veterans from Minot.

“WIth this being the first year we’ve hosted such an event, you never know what to expect,” said Ryan Family Dealerships owner/operator Kathleen Gaddie in a news release. “We are happy so many of our friends and neighbors made a point to pay tribute to our local veterans and our flag today.”

The solemn ceremony included a Presentation of the Colors by the DAV and VFW, National Anthem sung by Staff Sgt. Courtney Prebble from Minot Air Force Base, “Taps” played on bugle by American Legion member Dean Verstraete and messages from Mayor Shaun Sipma and representatives of Sens. John Hoeven’s and Kevin Cramer’s offices. National Guard members participated in a flag-folding ceremony that included an explanation of each of the 13 folds.

Chuck Emery, DAV senior vice commander, spoke on the history of Flag Day and proper methods to retire a flag. Residents with flags to retire can donate them to the VFW for proper, respectful disposal.

“On this day and every day,” Emery said, “remember what this flag represents – a country where one is free to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It also represents those who stood, sacrificed and gave the ultimate sacrifice for all to have these freedoms.”

Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag on June 14, 1777.

The DAV and Ryan Buick GMC Cadillac had been planning a commemoration event for about 15 months, having delayed a ceremony originally planned in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kathleen and Michael Gaddie said veterans’ causes are dear to their hearts. Kathleen’s father, Jim Ryan, was a Naval veteran who served in the South Pacific during World War II. Michael’s father, Jack Gaddie, served in Korea.