LITCHFIELD, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) attended the ninth annual RSU4 Flag Day Ceremony at Carrie Ricker School in Litchfield. The Senator joined K-5 students and faculty, area veterans, and Litchfield and Sabattus community members in honoring the flag, remembering fallen servicemembers, and celebrating the perseverance, bravery, and determination of all who work to keep the nation safe.

“Years ago – after hearing our national anthem sung thousands of times at civic events or ballgames – I had a realizon: the first stanza of the Star Spangled Banner ends with a question,” said Senator King. “The final line goes: ‘Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?’ That question mark is significant – and I think the answer lies in the line itself. This flag will continue to fly over the land of the free, as long as we are the home of the brave. On Flag Day, we have an opportunity to reflect on both the values that our flag represents, and the sacrifices made by our men and women in defense of those national ideals. Our freedoms are not guaranteed – they must be nurtured and protected by each successive generation. Today, I had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate this flag, and all it stands for, with the next generation who will carry forward our ideals so that the star-spangled banner may continue to fly from sea to shining sea.”

Earlier this month, Senator King took part in the bipartisan Senate delegation to Normandy, France, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion by Allied forces during World War II. The 75th anniversary ceremony honored the sacrifice and heroism of those who fought, including the more than 2,500 Americans who died that day and the thousands more who were wounded.  There are 83 soldiers from Maine buried at the cemetery, six of whom died on D-Day. During his visit to Normandy, Senator King met with World War II veterans who made the trip for the occasion. Maine veterans in attendance included Charles Norman Shay, a Penobscot Tribal Elder and veteran who served as a combat medic during the D-Day invasion and is the namesake for the Charles Shay Indian Memorial in Normandy that honors the service of Native Americans during World War II; and Henry Breton, an Augusta veteran who was one of four brothers to serve during World War II.

On Memorial Day, Senator King joined community members at Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Augusta to pay tribute to America’s fallen heroes and honor the sacrifices of America’s veterans and their families. Earlier in May, Senator King joined a group of his Senate colleagues to introduce the Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide financial relief for the families of U.S. servicemembers who have died while on active duty.

Photo 1: Senator King speaks to students at the ninth annual RSU4 Flag Day Ceremony at Carrie Ricker School in Litchfield

Photo 2: Students at Carrie Ricker School celebrate Flag Day

Photo 3: Senator King meets with local veterans at Carrie Ricker School in Litchfield

Photo 4: Senator King calls on a student during the ninth annual RSU4 Flag Day Ceremony at Carrie Ricker School in Litchfield