Human flag created in Batavia in honor of the 100th anniversary of Flag Day

A human flag waved proudly on Houston Street in Batavia on Sunday, June 12.

This coordinated effort was the closing activity of Sunday's ice cream social benefiting the Batavia Sky Concert fireworks fund. It also served to honor the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of June 14 as National Flag Day.

More than 300 people participated in the feat organized by Randy Simonian and Gary King, members of Batavia's Flag Day Celebration planning committee. Entire families were excited to join the fun, creating a story they can share with generations to come. Overhead drone photos were taken by Fox Valley Aerial Imagery in Batavia.

Batavia's celebration continued on Tuesday, June 14, with sold-out tours of FlagSource, a flag manufacturer in Batavia, and a patriotic concert at the Batavia Riverwalk.

Plans for a memorial honoring the American flag were revealed and the Batavia Riverwalk glowed with 1,777 luminaria decorated by elementary children and flags. More information is available at www.bataviaflagday.com.

Around the turn of the last century, Batavia resident Dr. Bernard J. Cigrand petitioned for a National Flag Day observance. On June 14, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation calling for a nationwide observance of Flag Day. At the age of 50, Dr. Cigrand considered this his greatest achievement. Cigrand passed away in 1932. Seventeen years after his death, on Aug. 3, 1949, President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th, National Flag Day.

Cigrand is considered by many to be the "Father of Flag Day" because of his passionate effort to give the American Flag the honor it deserves.