The American flag was flying high on June 14 at the Islip School District’s Commack Road Elementary School and Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School, as both buildings held their annual Flag Day celebrations. Sponsored by the American Legion, the outdoor ceremonies featured patriotic music and speeches, as well as honor gardens of flags representing members of the school community who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military.

Representatives from American Legion Rusy-Bohm Post 411 included Commander Richard Abrams, Vice Commander Rodney Koebele, past Suffolk County Commander and Adjutant Roby Johnson, Sergeant-at-Arms Peter Militello, and members George Groudas and Dave Palmer.  American Legion Auxiliary Rusy-Bohm Post 411 representatives also attended, including President Paulette DeCrescenzo, Vice President Evelyn Gerlett, Treasurer and Suffolk County Vice President Joanne Johnson, chaplain Peggy Parry, and members Renee Clock and Valerie Pulaski.

Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter, Councilman John Cochrane Jr., State Sen. Phil Boyle, Islip Board of Education members and district administrators were also on hand for the event. Carpenter was so impressed with Commack Road student Kimberly Marcony Iglesias’ essay that she invited her to share it with the Town Board that afternoon at the annual Flag Day celebration at Islip Town Hall.

“Each year, I look forward to this ceremony for a variety of reasons,” Commack Road Principal James Cameron said. “I adore this event, as it brings me the opportunity to express my patriotism for this country with such an amazing teaching and learning community. Just as the flags lining the bus loop symbolize our veterans, the flag that we salute each day is symbolic of many things. I see our flag as representative of our history, but it also represents our future, and who better to tell us the story of our flag than the children of Islip?”

Date Added: 7/12/2022