Southwest FL – The Sarasota Military Officers Foundation is bringing back Vane Scott III and the Pops Orchestra for a FREE repeat performance of “Celebrating the Stars & Stripes” at Patriot Plaza at the Sarasota National Cemetery. The 2,800-seat outdoor ceremonial amphitheater will be packed with American patriots wanting to hear the full story of how the flag of the United States got its nickname “Old Glory”. If you weren’t there in 2015 be there on February 17th at 4:00 pm and hear the story of how captain William Driver flew “Old Glory” during his career at sea.
Entertainment for the whole family! A live show telling the history of how we got our flag and how we became the United States of America. This is not a history lecture. There are humorous stories, we hope you will laugh. We do know you will be thrilled when it’s exciting… there are a few sad places too.
The First Flag Resolution was passed by Congress on June 14th, 1777 – “Resolved the flag of the United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; and the Union be thirteen stars white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” There were no two flags alike. That’s why you will learn the “Many Faces of Old Glory”.
You will see over 20 odd, strange and downright crazy looking flags that tell the story of the paths our flag and our country have taken to become what we are today. You will see and hear facts about our Revolutionary War that you never knew before, about The Boston Massacre, Paul Revere’s Ride, Battle at Concord on April 19, 1777 (known as “the shot heard ’round the world”). Be on board with George Washington’s cruisers, as we capture the cannons and guns from the British; those were the weapons that started our revolution. Be part of the landing party that flew the Gadsden flag; the landing party that later became the United States Marines. Ride the seas with John Paul Jones’ Navy as he says, “I have not yet begun to fight!” and see the crazy flag he flew that was described by Ben Franklin.
Relive the legend of Betsy Ross, as she cuts a 5-pointed star with one cut of the scissors – feel the emotion of Francis Scott Key as he wrote our National Anthem and watched the Star-Spangled Banner still waving over Fort McHenry. All this accompanied by our community’s Pops Orchestra and conducted by Dr. Roby Bell. Veterans, educators, and patriots everywhere all say, “You will remember it the rest of your life!”
What could be more appropriate than The Patterson Foundation will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary with us that day? Celebrating the Stars & Stripes is part of The Patterson Foundation’s Honoring & Onward celebration, recognizing a decade of impact through people, organizations, and communities while continuing to connect, learn, share, evolve, and strengthen its efforts to realize shared aspirations. It is rumored that the 16th president of the United States will be in attendance. Yes, The Patterson Foundation has arranged for president Lincoln’s second appearance, the first being at the founding celebration of The Patterson Foundation.
Rear Admiral Brian McCarthy, USN(Ret) will be the master of ceremony, representing both the Military Officers Association of Sarasota and the Sarasota Military Officers Foundation, as the former president and executive director. After the performance, we will all “Welcome Home” our Vietnam era veterans and honor their service to our Nation. The event is the culmination of one year of planning and the support of our event sponsors; The Patterson Foundation, Sarasota Magazine, The Zenith Insurance Company, The Community Foundation of Sarasota, United Way Suncoast’s Mission United Initiative, Veteran Air the Military Officers Association of America, Tidewell Hospice, The Pops Orchestra, Freeman Design Group, and U.S. Tent Rental.
#