Cannella Honored as Part of Flag Week

Photos by Mary O’KEEFE Vito Cannella handed Crescenta Valley Town Council  President Robbyn Battles an American flag at the Flag Day/Week ceremony in Montrose last weekend. Cannella was being honored for his role in petitioning for  Flag Week.
Photos by Mary O’KEEFE
Vito Cannella handed Crescenta Valley Town Council President Robbyn Battles an American flag at the Flag Day/Week ceremony in Montrose last weekend. Cannella was being honored for his role in petitioning for Flag Week.

By Isiah REYES

A ceremony at the Montrose Vietnam Memorial was held on June 14 to recognize Vito Cannella, a man who has dedicated his life to raising awareness of national Flag Week.

The commitment of Cannella led to a presidential proclamation for National Flag Week from President Lyndon Johnson in 1966.

Various speakers spoke about Cannella during the ceremony and his devotion to the city of Montrose. One of the speakers was executive director of the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce Melinda Clarke.

“This event was just another opportunity to recognize Vito and what he’s done for the community and really what he’s done for our nation,” Clarke said. “The thing I like about Vito is that he loves the flag and he represents the people who fought to give the freedoms of this country.”

During the ceremony, Cannella dedicated the proclamation  from the city of Glendale to communications administrator for the Montrose Shopping Park Association Steve Pierce.

“I’m shocked, I wasn’t expecting this,” Pierce said. “As a Vietnam veteran, Flag Week means everything to me. It’s an honoring of our flag and I think for many years it almost seemed like people didn’t care, but now they do.”

Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce vice-president Sebu Chatoyan said this event unites the city of Montrose and helps bring people together.

“I believe one hundred percent [that] the people living here believe in what this memorial stands for and what the flag stands for,” Chatoyan said. “This memorial is the past, the present and future.”

Cannella was awarded a plaque from Montrose Shopping Park Association Board Vice President Gigi Garcia for his outstanding commitment and dedication to the Montrose community and establishing National Flag Week

“The event was very beautiful,” Cannella said. “It’s something that I never expected.”

The week of June 14 is designated as National Flag Week. During National Flag Week, the president will issue a proclamation urging U.S. citizens to fly the American flag for the duration of that week. The flag is also intended to be displayed on all government buildings.

DSC_5163-1 DSC_5164 DSC_5169 DSC_5171 DSC_5175 DSC_5179 DSC_5181 DSC_5183 DSC_5185 DSC_5187 DSC_5190 DSC_5195 DSC_5199 DSC_5204 DSC_5206 IMG_1553 IMG_1558 IMG_1565 IMG_1567 IMG_1577