Old Glory was everywhere on a recent Wednesday at 1291 Hartford Ave. in Johnston.

Her stars and stripes seemed to have a special sparkle and were prominently displayed everywhere from around the perimeter of the Johnston Senior Center entrance to across the famed bingo board inside the multi-purpose dining room.

There was a sea of American flags which were also displayed on tabletops, affixed to walls and even displayed in impressive red, white and blue centerpieces.

Likewise, the decorations included red, white and blue placemats and napkins for the JSC’s star-spangled celebration-salute for Flag Day 2023.

The late morning ceremony was highlighted by a pomp and circumstance ceremony presented by 16 members of the Warwick-based Tri-City Elks Lodge No. 14 and specially selected patriotic music played by Johnston native Mark Gilmore who has made many countless contributions to the town including his time as co-leader of the famed Johnston Community Center.

Although the Elks have presented their impressive and mandatory ritual ceremony at the JSC in past years, the 2023 edition may have been the best heart-warming and emotional presentation in recent memory.

There were many reasons — from Maj. Thomas Dolan and Lt. Steve Guilmette — led Johnston Police Color Guard presenting and posting the colors to a thank lunch for the Elks as well as a special “Welcome to Johnston” by Mayor Jospeh Polisena Jr.

“I’ve been ripped, kicked, torn and even burned,” Polisena and other speakers said while speaking about Old Glory. “But you cannot but hurt me.”

Shoshana Feinstein, an Opera singer from North Scituate delivered a beautiful and moving rendition of The National Anthem that was followed by the history of eight versions of Old Glory including the famed black-and-white POW-MIA flag and an awesome 40-minute ceremony which was coordinated by JSC Executive Director Richard J. DelFino Jr. and Michael Donahue, Tri City’s new Americanism chairman.

DelFino, who has initiated many impressive programs in his short tenure as Executive Director, began the ceremony welcoming participants and members reminding them that “today we commemorate the adoption of the United States flag on June 14th, 1777, a symbol of our liberty and freedom.”

He also added: “Thank you to Lodge 14 — and each member of the Elks — for selecting the Center to present this classic ceremony about our beautiful American flag. We look forward to seeing you again in 2024.”

Meanwhile, Donahue said: “I want to thank Richard DelFino and his team at the Johnston Senior Center for hosting the Tri-City Elks Lodge 14 Flag Day Ritual. It was an amazing and emotional experience that all should see. The American Flag and the United States has an amazing history that some people may have forgotten.”

But during the heart-warming ceremony which was led by Lode 14’s Leading Knight Rick Swanson and featured many mighty moments.

Elks like Chaplin and Inner Guard Berth Marsh read from an extraordinary seven-page ritual program prepared by the Grand Lodge clearly defined the history of our American flag and speaks volumes such as “I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice; I am confident; My name is ‘Old Glory’ … long may I wave dear God in Heaven … Long may I wave!”

Tri-City Elks participating in the Flag Day ritual were: Mike Donahue, Mike Marsh, Beth Marsh, Debbie Mangina, Ann Licciardi, Noel Petisce, Debbie Peticse, Carol Delory, Michael Paquette, Margaret Petisce Serra, Donna Warner, Maryjane Larned, Linda Ayers, Randy Ayers, Neal Carpenter and Rick Swanson.