Do you know how old Tucson is? On Aug. 20, Tucson turned 232 years old, and there was a flag ceremony downtown to celebrate the occasion at the Presidio San Agustín de Tucson. The Presidio was rebuilt to look like it did in the 1700s. If you haven’t been there, you should go visit.
During the flag ceremony, Mayor Bob Walkup gave a great speech. More than 100 military personnel from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base attended. Col. Kent Laughbaum and his wife were there with Brig. Gen. Boats Bartlett.
The Davis-Monthan honor guard brought in the U.S. flag to start the ceremony. We said the pledge of allegiance, and different volunteers brought in the five flags that have flown over Tucson throughout the city’s history: the Spanish flag, the Mexican flag, the 28-star U.S. flag, the Confederate flag and Arizona’s flag. Members of the Tohono O’odham and Pascua Yaqui tribes presented their flags.
Tohono O’odham dancers performed and Bobby Benton sang. We had cake, with the original Aug. 20, 1775, proclamation that established our city written on the frosting in Spanish and English! Norma Niblett, who helped organize the event, said “This city began with military, so we are privileged to have the military here today.”
For information on the Presidio, call 884-4376.