It's A Grand Old Flag

The Union Landing Historical Society (ULHS), Brielle, celebrated Flag Day, June 14, with a brief ceremony, “I Pledge,” at the 9-11 Memorial Garden, Riverview and Birch Drives, Brielle.  The humbling, solemn ceremony was held 8:30 a.m. on a sunny, crystal clear day.

When asked why this fourth annual event, Society President Ray Shea responded, “Because it’s history – it’s the history of the flag.”

He noted this ceremony and program grew up as a spin-off of the society’s annual Memorial Day program at Osborn Burial Ground, Brielle.  “Last year, we did the history of the first 13 colonies, and took the flag down and raised the 13-star flag, but this one’s not that complicated – it’s about the Pledge of Allegiance.”

Dick Holmquist, 9-11 Memorial Garden trustee, was proud of what the celebration and society stands for, and stated, “This is a good example of what this historical group is doing for the town.  It’s very important that more of this type thing be done.”

Fellow member and ULHS trustee Janice Wurfel added, “We are a representative group of the whole system – we need more members.  I’ve been a member a very long time, more than 10 years.”

The Society numbers 75, ranging in age from 11 to 89 – mostly Brielle residents – and 11 took part in the program, which involved six members reading segments of a testimonial to the Pledge of Allegiance.  Following the testimonial, all 11 recited in unison the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag flying in the garden.

As mentioned earlier, the ceremony was humbling – a thought echoed by Brigitte Markuson.  “As a naturalized citizen, I take this very seriously.”

Natalie Holmquist also takes her membership seriously, and is proud of the society and its accomplishments, stating “I’ve been a member many, many years.  My mother-in-law, Helen Holmquist, wrote the first booklet about the history of Brielle, ‘The Brielle Story.’  Since that time, Union Landing Historical Society has written several booklets which we sell.”

Newcomer to the group, Mary Belding, noted, “I’ve been a member a couple years.  It’s a good group; my husband’s in it.”

Her husband, John Belding, is the society’s first vice president, and presented Ray Shea with a few tokens following the Pledge, such as a refrigerator magnet stamped with the stars and stripes.  The group then attended a Dutch treat breakfast nearby.

The Union Landing Historical Society meets during the year at Curtis House, 644 Union Lane, Brielle.  Residents of Brielle and area towns are encouraged to join the society; for more information, visit www.briellehistory.org.