The Rev. Joesph Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus will host a celebration of the American flag and Pledge of Allegiance together with the Borough of Highlands and veterans groups at the Twin Lights Museum this Saturday, April 25 at 10 a.m.
The ceremony, originally scheduled for last year, the 125th anniversary of the Borough of Highlands, had to be cancelled because of weather and other commitments; however, borough representatives will be participating in the event Saturday along with representatives of Our Lady of Perpetual Help St Agnes parish, the Highlands Historical Society, representatives of the Navy, the Columbiettes, and VFW and American Legion posts.
Former Grand Knight of the Council, Mike Napolitano, is master of ceremonies for the event and will present Lieutenant Commander Steven Rogers, executive Director of the Association of the US Navy, to speak on the importance of the Twin Lights and the Knights of Columbus with the pledge.
Also on the program are Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon, Council president and parish member Jo-Anne Olszewski, and parish member Muriel J. Smith, whose husband, the late James E. Smith, Jr., was the founding Grand Knight of the Father Donnelly Council.
The Rev. Jarlath Quinn, pastor of OLPH-St Agnes parish, will say the opening prayer and give a blessing, and members of VFW Post 6902 and the American Legion Post 143, both in Highlands,,will be recognized. The Knights of Columbus Color Corps of Knights Assembly 646 in Long Branch will be present honoring police, fire and EMS services..
Father Donnelly Council Grand Knight Kevin McKenna will also welcome all guests to the ceremony which will begin with the original Pledge to the Flag ceremony from the 19th century along with Knight Robert Karaczun of the McGeehan Insurance Agency.
VFW Post 692 Commander Mike Warren will lead in a demonstration of the original pledge and a salute with a recitation of the original pledge along with Louise Welch, Southeast Chapter President of the Columbiettes.
The first version of the Pledge, written in 1885 by Union Army Capt. George Th. Belch was revised Francis Bellamy as part of a magazine promotion surrounding the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1892., celebrating the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus‘ arrival in the Americas. It is that version that was read publicly for the first time at the Twin Lights in Highlands, after being read only by students in schools prior to then.
On Flag Day, June 14, 1954, the Pledge was modified once again to include the words “under God” through the recommendations and work of the Knights of Columbus.
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