2012-06-27 / Features

Immaculate Conception Commemorates Flag Day


The Knights of Columbus and the Columbian Squires of Immaculate Conception Parish hosted its 13th annual Flag Day Ceremony on June 14 at Immaculate Conception School in Astoria. The NYPD Band led the Honor Guard from Xavier H.S., representatives from the military, Catholic War Veterans Post 1 and children and teachers of the school into the courtyard of the Holy Union Sisters’ Convent. Both the American Flag and the POW/MIA Flag were raised by the Honor Guard and the Columbian Squires. A memorial wreath was laid at the base of the flagpole by the Catholic War Veterans, followed by Taps. The Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were led by Msgr. Fernando Ferrarese. The NYPD Band then led everyone into Lyons Hall in the school for the second half of the ceremony. This year, the memory of Major Joseph Peter Fanning was honored at the Flag Day Ceremony. Major Fanning, a graduate of Immaculate Conception School, died on December 13, 1968 while serving in the U.S. Air Force in Laos. Major Fanning’s wife, Linda Fanning and his daughter, Jacqueline along other family members attended the ceremony. They received a flag which was flown over an aircraft carrier in Major Fanning’s honor. Joseph Marino, former Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, honored the Catholic War Veterans with a heartfelt thank you. Marino said, “We thank the veterans for their hard work and dedication to our country. We also thank every spouse, mother, father, son, daughter, sister and brother.” The Flag Day ceremony concluded with the students from Immaculate Conception School singing the “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, “God Bless America”, and “America the Beautiful”. The Knights of Columbus and the Columbian Squires of Immaculate Conception Parish hosted its 13th annual Flag Day Ceremony on June 14 at Immaculate Conception School in Astoria. The NYPD Band led the Honor Guard from Xavier H.S., representatives from the military, Catholic War Veterans Post 1 and children and teachers of the school into the courtyard of the Holy Union Sisters’ Convent. Both the American Flag and the POW/MIA Flag were raised by the Honor Guard and the Columbian Squires. A memorial wreath was laid at the base of the flagpole by the Catholic War Veterans, followed by Taps. The Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were led by Msgr. Fernando Ferrarese. The NYPD Band then led everyone into Lyons Hall in the school for the second half of the ceremony. This year, the memory of Major Joseph Peter Fanning was honored at the Flag Day Ceremony. Major Fanning, a graduate of Immaculate Conception School, died on December 13, 1968 while serving in the U.S. Air Force in Laos. Major Fanning’s wife, Linda Fanning and his daughter, Jacqueline along other family members attended the ceremony. They received a flag which was flown over an aircraft carrier in Major Fanning’s honor. Joseph Marino, former Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, honored the Catholic War Veterans with a heartfelt thank you. Marino said, “We thank the veterans for their hard work and dedication to our country. We also thank every spouse, mother, father, son, daughter, sister and brother.” The Flag Day ceremony concluded with the students from Immaculate Conception School singing the “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, “God Bless America”, and “America the Beautiful”.

Return to top

  • Share this

Copyright 1999-2013 The Service Advertising Group, Inc. All rights reserved.