Haliwa-Saponi Tribe holds first Flag Day observance
[NOTE: This article has been shamelessly stolen from The Warren Record (https://www.warrenrecord.com/news/article_d39be9b1-2d51-4bc6-9818-64c2bebbcd47.html) and is used here purely for illustrative purposes. Text & photo by Ivan Richardson]
June 19, 2025
The Haliwa-Saponi Tribe held its first Flag Day observance on Saturday, June 14, at the Haliwa-Saponi Veterans Memorial, located on Highway 561 in the Hollister/Essex area.
The Tribe placed 50 flags along the roadway and around the memorial wall for Flag Day. Tribal members felt it was especially important to observe Flag Day with the ongoing events in the world and ongoing protests, that as a Tribe and Tribal veterans, it was important for the community to display its patriotism.
“We still proudly display our tribal flag, yielding to the American flag at the Administration office,” Halifax County Commissioner and Tribal Veteran Jimmie Silver said. “We only display the American flag at the memorial following the guidance given on June 14, 1777, adopted by the Second Continental Congress.
During Saturday’s observance, Silver gave an overview of Flag Day and a reminder that the day was the Army 250th Birthday. He stated that Flag Day is so often overlooked since is not an official holiday, but is day of importance to all veterans. “We go to war wearing a flag on our uniform,” Silver said. “We display this flag around the world as a symbol of pride at our embassies and bases. The Battle of Iwo Jima on the Japanese island’s most memorable event was the raising of the American Flag by those six Marines. Honestly, Flag Day is often forgotten here at home.”
The day’s significance as Flag Day and the 250th birthday of the United States Army was notably important to Commissioner Jimmie Silver, Warren County Commissioner Al Cooper and former Staff Sergeant Bobby Richardson, especially the additional pride displayed. All of them are veterans of the United State Army. “Most people are not aware that U.S. Army is older than the United States of America,” Silver said.
After Silver’s remarks, the Rev. Al Cooper led a prayer for the nation around the flag pole. Tribal Elder Zollie Richardson stopped in with his daughter, Zenia Buffalo, wanting to also pray for the nation. Halifax County Board of Education member Terri Silver commented how great it would be to teach our kids in school more about Flag Day and the importance of patriotism. There was also one special kid, Zoe Cooper, who showed up with flag placements.