South King County residents celebrate Flag Day

In a state heavily populated with veterans, there are few holidays more important than Flag Day. (Our state is home to more than 670,000 veterans)

This year's South King County Flag Day celebration, presented by the Soroptimists of Federal Way and King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, was held Saturday morning, June 14, at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatics Center in Federal Way.

The celebration succeeded in reflecting this holiday's unique significance, as it was an opportunity for the community to honor current and fallen veterans, as well as soldiers, local law enforcement, students and the flag itself.

Local leaders, veterans, fire fighters, police officers and students gathered for the program, which featured United States Representative Adam Smith as the keynote speaker.

Smith represents the 9th Congressional District of Washington, which covers the city of Federal Way as well as other communities in the South Puget Sound region.

Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, himself a veteran, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the event, which also featured music from the Thomas Jefferson High School Band, an invocation from South King Fire and Rescue Chaplain Mike Ballinger, and a special presentation of local student awards and essays directed by Federal Way City Councilmember Linda Kochmar.

"Even though Flag Day is caught between two major American Holidays, Memorial Day and Independence Day, this date is appropriately placed: the symbol we honor today is what unites all of our national holidays," said von Reichbauer.