At a Roslindale ceremony, students celebrate Old Glory

(John Tlumacki/Globe Staff)

Students from the Charles Sumner Elementary School waved their flags as they took part in the annual Flag Day cdelebration in Adams Park in Roslindale Square.

By Casey Ramsdell, Globe Correspondent

Roslindale elementary schools today celebrated the American flag, giving away 2,000 free flags to students on the day before Flag Day, which this year marks the 231st birthday of Old Glory.

The flags were provided by business owners and professionals on the Roslindale Board of Trade. It has been a tradition to give flags to students since 1926. Each school held its own celebration in the morning, then all of the students came together for a 10:30 a.m. community ceremony.

At the ceremony, students, their families, and other community members delivered speeches, recited poems, and sang songs.

Laurie Carr, acting principal of John D. Philbrick Elementary School, said that the ceremony gives students the opportunity to see what the flag represents.

"The kids are excited; they sing their hearts out," Carr said. "I think their voices could be heard up and down the streets of Roslindale."

The Continental Congress adopted the first American flag on June 14, 1777.

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