McALLEN, RGV – There were some moving speeches about what the Star Spangled Banner and Independence Day mean at a Fourth of July celerbation event on Friday.
IBC Bank and the City of McAllen Fire Department held a Flag Raising Ceremony on to celebrate Independence Day.
Firefighters hoisted a huge flag outside the IBC McAllen headquarters on Broadway.
Among those invited to speak were David Guerra, president and CEO of IBC Bank McAllen, McAllen Mayor Jim Darling, state Sen. Juan Hinojosa, state Rep. Terry Canales, Frank Plummer, a retired U.S. Army colonel who runs the Veteran’s War Memorial in McAllen, David Facundo, an active U.S. Army sargent, and Steve Ahlenius, president of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce.
Julian Alvarez, president of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership was master of ceremonies. The invocation was conducted by Christopher Ott, a Border Patrol agent. The presentation of colors was made by McAllen Fire Department. The national anthem was sung by Jasmine Rico, president of Rico Marketing. The pledge of allegiance was given by Harlan D. Garrett, a retired major U.S. Army Reserves major.
Dora Brown, senior vice president of IBC Bank McAllen, gave the closing remarks.
