Patriotic students and community members joined together at Commack Road for a high-flying Flag Day celebration on June 14, beginning with a march and flag-raising with members of the local American Legion Rusy Bohm Post 411, led by Commander Dominick DeCrescenzo. Flags lined the bus loop, each representing a member of the Commack Road extended family.

“Just as these flags lining the loop symbolize our Commack Road veterans, the flag that we salute each day is symbolic of many things,” said Cameron. “I personally see our flag as representative of our history, but it also represents our future.”

Second-graders led the Pledge of Allegiance in American Sign Language, and the CRES TrebleMakers vocal ensemble provided stirring music, from “The Star-Spanged Banner,” where the singers were joined by the school’s Level II band, to “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” “God Bless America,” “God Bless the USA” and “America the Beautiful.”

Student awards were presented to second-grade contest winner Jake Kelly, third-grade contest winner Daniela Capolongo, fourth-grade contest winner Emily Martinez, fifth-grade contest winner Mia Vale, academic award winner Amy Marconi and music award winner Julian Vitucci.

In attendance were family members of the school’s former principal, Jeanette Feminella, as well as Suffolk County Legislator Tom Cilmi and Town of Islip Councilman John Cochran.

Said Cilmi in his address, “This is a tradition that began many, many years ago under the leadership of my dear friend, Jeanette Feminella, who is no longer with us, but I know she is smiling down upon us today as we celebrate our great flag. Forever is a long time, but I sincerely hope this celebration goes on forever. There is nothing more heartwarming to me, nothing that makes me prouder, than to see hundreds of children saluting our flag and remembering all those who fought and died for our country and the ideals that the flag represents.”