gme #28 02/20/08

31st IRISH FLAG RAISING CEREMONY SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 13

TOMS RIVER - The public is invited to attend the 31st annual raising of the Flag of Ireland during a ceremony at the Ocean County Administration Building, 101 Hooper Avenue, here, beginning at 11:30 a.m., Friday, March 13.

“Ocean County is home to more than 113,000 residents of Irish decent,” said Freeholder Director John C. Bartlett, Jr. “This event allows us to celebrate the rich culture of the Irish people and to appreciate the contributions they have made to our county.”

This flag raising ceremony, hosted by the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders and sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, will feature a presentation of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard, singing by Mary Kelly, past president of the Ladies Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and a reading of “The Traditional Poem in Memory of Jim Whelan” by Ralph Hodges, Past AOH State President and Div. 1 President as well as coordinator of the flag raising ceremony.

For additional information concerning the Irish flag raising ceremony, please contact the Ocean County Department of Public Affairs at 732-929-2000.