Estates to dedicate flags in Armed Services tribute

San Diego Country Estates Association will celebrate Armed Forces Day with “A Dedication of Armed Forces Flags” on the front lawn of the San Vicente Inn at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 15.

New flagpoles have been added around the existing flagpole on the lawn to represent the five branches of the Armed Services. A representative of each branch of the service — U.S. Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard — will participate.

The program will include the lowering of the U.S. flag by Master Chief George Little, U.S. Navy Ret., from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3783 in Ramona. The VFW will retire the flag.

Ramona High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC), directed by Lt. Cmdr. Mike Ernst, U.S. Navy Ret., will hoist the new U.S. flag as the NJROTC presents the colors.

Dave Castberg will sing the national anthem, and the Ramona Town Hall Brass Band, led by Ken Serfass, will play.

The Ramona Town Hall Brass Band led by Serfass will provide music throughout the event, estimated to last about 30 minutes. As the representative from each of the Armed Forces branch hoists that branch’s flag, the band will play the hymn associated with the branch.

Chief Warrant Officer IV Eric Griswold, U.S. Marine Corps Ret., will lead the pledge of allegiance.

“Taps” will be played when the assembly honors the country’s fallen heroes.

Chistopher Castberg, youth director of Ramona Lutheran Church, will offer the invocation and benediction.

Representatives of the Ramona Fire Department, Intermountain Fire & Rescue Department, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and San Diego Patriot Guard will be among attendees. Organizers plan a few surprises.

The public is welcome. San Vicente Inn is at 24157 San Vicente Road.

Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May.