Area Slovenes and Slovenian officials from Cleveland and Washington, D.C., commemorated Slovenia's June 1991 independence with their annual flag raising services at Payrow Plaza June 20. Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez, himself a Slovenian, welcomed those in attendance and presented a proclamation to Debra Smith, president of the Bethlehem-Murska Sobota Sister Cities Association. Donchez and Stephen Antalics Jr. raised the American and Slovenian flags to the singing of the American and Slovenian National Anthems, led by Frank Podleiszek and Betty Silva, with piano accompaniment by Alex Gergar. Guest speakers were Jurcek Zmauc, Consul General at the Cleveland Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia and Ondina Blokar-Drobic, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Washington D.C. A luncheon followed.