The City of Fairbury celebrated Flag Day with a ceremony honoring the decorated history of the flag itself along with a celebration recognizing the efforts of the city's first responders.

Organized by the small city's Elks Lodge, an organization whose own history is at times directly linked to that of the American flag, the Saturday ceremony included an oral history of the many iterations of the flag that has been flown by, and in honor of, the citizens of this country over the years.


Jefferson County 4-H members paraded each of those flags through the room, from the classic 18th Century flag with 13 stars for the original 13 colonies, up to the final, current flag with 50 stars and 13 stripes.


And even as its look has evolved to reflect a growing nation, Elks Lodge officials said Saturday the American flag's greatest significance has always been the influence it imposes on everyone.

“The resurgence of patriotism since September 11 has rekindled respect for our flag," Elks Lodge Leading Knight Earl Busing said in his remarks Saturday. "Today, we see the star-spangled banner wherever we go, on homes, businesses, automobiles and billboards...they remind us of the sacrifices being made by the men and women of our armed forces around the world, and they are a tribute to the heroes of the police and fire departments of this nation."

“Today, for me, is a bittersweet occasion as I recall the young men and young women who were comrades of mine who lost their lives and are not here to see this day," said Jefferson County commissioner Mark Schoenrock, a former Army officer who was working in the Pentagon on the day of September 11 hijackings. "They bequeathed to us the ever-present gift of freedom. Their blood, sweat and tears gave us what we enjoy today, to live free in this great land of the United States of America. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of them – I see their faces, I hear their voices, I think of their families."  

The ceremony was also an opportunity for the city to celebrate its first responders, with members of the sheriff, fire, and ambulance departments earning recognition for excellence in the line of duty.
Highlighting the hard work of who he calls the "unseen heroes" of law enforcement, Jefferson County sheriff Nick Georgi presented 911 dispatcher Melissa Lee with his department's annual award. Georgi recounted one particularly harrowing emergency call Lee had to field this year, saying her ability to handle that kind of intense, life-or-death situation was something that not only made her worthy of this award, but was a characteristic of all good dispatchers.

"In less than one minute, Melissa was paging an ambulance to be en route to their residence, all while trying to keep that female calm on the phone. In less than two minutes, Melissa was instructing the female on how to do CPR, and helping that female administer CPR on her unconscious husband," Georgi said. "Melissa presented an impeccable ability to take control of the situation, and was able to keep a level head throughout the duration of this very emotion, high priority call."

Greg Neemann and Steve Zimmerman were awarded the honors from the ambulance and fire departments, respectively.