Red, white and blue. Grand old flag. Star-spangled banner. Old Glory.

The United States of America's flag is a symbol of freedom and honor and patriotism. It reflects our ideals and stands for all that we hold dear and the people who have defended our beliefs.

At Neffsville Terrace, 6 Terrace Drive, Lancaster, Flag Day is held in high esteem.

"Flag Day is an important day, and I think sometimes it gets overlooked," said Kristi Haines, the director of social services for Neffsville Terrace. "In my opinion, it's a day of independence. When I was younger, I didn't appreciate the flag as much as I do now. When I look at the flag now, I see the veterans who fought for it."

In the middle of June, Neffsville Terrace celebrated Flag Day with a bang. Some 30 residents - about half of whom were veterans - and family members gathered at the Manheim Township independent living facility to express what the old "stars and stripes" meant to them.

"I think Flag Day is important for us because we have a lot of veterans," said Haines. "When they look at the flag, they see their service to our country. To make that day special, it's really important to them. I didn't want to make Flag Day an afterthought."

Neffsville Terrace's hourlong Flag Day ceremony featured a speech by Lt. Adrian Aponte of the Salvation Army, Lancaster Corps, and a donation of a flag by American Legion Post 56 of Lititz. A trio of Manheim Township students - Audrey Pavlica, Hallie Shelton and Sophia Irvine - sang a medley of patriotic tunes, while Vet 21 Salute Honor Guard provided a rifle salute and a performance of taps.

"Everyone worked together to make it happen," said Haines. "It all came together without a hitch. It was another way to say thank you to our veterans. I think our residents liked that they could interact with the visitors who were there. They could reflect on times they had 30 or 40 years ago."

"The flag means to me that our country is free, and I hope for it to stay that way," said resident and World War II veteran Walter Reidy.

"The flag means freedom and symbolizes all that the veterans did for us to keep our freedom alive today," said resident Diane Wasylenko.

The gathering was part of an annual Flag Day celebration undertaken by Neffsville Terrace. Haines said that Neffsville Terrace doesn't mark other patriotic holidays in quite the same manner.

Founded in 1969, Neffsville Terrace is home to about 100 residents. For additional information about Neffsville Terrace, go to http://www.neffsvilleterrace.com.