The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks salutes the American Flag with an annual ceremony open to the public. Oakville Elks Lodge 2726 hosted its 2013 Flag Day ceremony with the support of the Missouri National Guard, the St. Louis County Police Department, the Mehlville Fire Protection District, American Legion Post 162 and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. Starting from 1775 with the Pine Tree flag through the current 50-star flag, the history of U.S. flags was told. Two World War II veterans and a soldier back from Afghanistan also were honored. The Oakville Elks Lodge thanks the community for joining it in paying tribute to the American Flag. Above, Missouri National Guard members fold the retiring flag with the lodge’s Leading Knight waiting to pass the new flag to be raised.