More than 100 years ago, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks began holding an annual observance of Flag Day.

The Columbia-Middletown Elks 1074 will continue the tradition when it hosts its Flag Day ceremony in the gazebo in Locust Street Park, 550 Locust St., Columbia, on Sunday, June 8, at 1 p.m.

"The Elks officers and trustees, led by Exalted Ruler Sue Luttman, will present the Elks Flag Day ceremony to celebrate the history of our country's flag," explained Robin Gamby, chair of the event.

Members of the Frontier Girls, Boy Scout Troop 35 and Columbia Cub Pack 35 will assist with the ceremony.

"Our guest speaker will be William 'Bill' Terry," Gamby shared. "Bill is a 21-year retired U.S. Navy medical deep-sea diver. Bill is also involved with the Lancaster County Navy Club and founded a Veterans Breakfast Club that meets in Lancaster."

Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz will address the audience at the ceremony and will issue a proclamation.

The Scouts will hand out small flags and lapel pins to the audience prior to the ceremony.

"Local Elks lodges throughout the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Panama Canal celebrate Flag Day on or around the official date of Flag Day, June 14," said Luttman. "The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is the only fraternal organization to require a formal observance of Flag Day."

In July of 1908, the Elks Grand Lodge required all subordinate lodges to observe the holiday. June 14 was officially established as Flag Day by a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. Flag Day was not a national observance until 1949, when President Harry Truman, himself an Elks member, was inspired through his lodge in Independence, Mo., to sign an act of Congress that dedicated June 14 to the symbol of our country.

As Gamby explained, the Elks are a patriotic and charitable organization. Since the organization began 157 years ago, the Elks have donated more than $12 billion to various beneficiaries. There are close to 2,000 Elks Lodges across the country with a total membership of more than 750,000 people.

"The local Columbia-Middletown Elks No. 1074 Lodge has over 650 members and has invested over $380,000 in the local community over the past five years to enrich our community," Luttman said.

She encourages people to come to the park for the ceremony, adding, "Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy this patriotic celebration of our country's flag."

The ceremony will be held rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, an alternate location for the ceremony will be announced on Facebook.

To learn more about the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, visit http://www.elks.org. For more information about the local lodge, search for "Columbia-Middletown Elks #1074" on Facebook.