The 106-year-old Allentown Flag Day Association will celebrate Flag Day 7 p.m. June 14 in Allentown's West Park with the a traditional patriotic band concert by the Allentown Band, with accompany soloist Evelyn Stewart.

Col. Glenn T. Nissley, commander of the 213th Regional Support Group at the Gen. Curtis Armory, 15th and Allen streets, Allentown, 2009-13 will be the guest speaker.

Col. Nissley, currently Joint Forces Headquarters-Pennsylvania, Joint Logistics Officer, began his military career in 1981 during the early years of his 32-year career as a physical education and health teacher at the Middletown Area Middle School.

He served as commander of more than 700 soldiers in combat operations in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq from 2005-06 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Col. Nissley and his wife, Doreen, reside in Lancaster.

Awards will be given to the top three winners of the annual Flag Day essay contest in Allentown middle schools.

The winners will read their essays during the concert.

The event is free and open to the public.

A free-will offering will be accepted to support the association; the oldest incorporated Flag Day Association in the nation.

In addition to the concert and essay contest, the group sponsors a noon flag raising on Flag Day at Allentown City Hall, presents a framed Old Glory to all new naturalized citizens in Lehigh County and, this year, will be presenting a handheld flag to all the graduating seniors of Dieruff High School during their graduation ceremony on Flag Day, June 14, at Stabler Arena.

For information, contact association President Mike Welsh at 484-347-1833 or WelshMwel7@aol.com.