ODBC president Richard Banchoff offered remarks at the ceremony’s close with Washington’s fireboat, John H. Glenn, in the background. Photo by Michael K. Bohn
The Old Dominion Boat Club, a waterfront institution in Alexandria since 1880, celebrated the start of the boating season with its annual flag raising on Sunday, May 15. The club’s commodore, Bill Gard, presided over the celebration at the foot of the club’s mast, and members of the Alexandria Harmonizers sang the National Anthem and patriotic songs.
The U.S. Coast Guard’s Ceremonial Honor Guard raised the Stars and Stripes, ODBC president Richard Banchoff the Commonwealth flag, Mayor Allison Silberberg the city flag, and Gard the club’s burgee. As each flag was run up the mast, former commodore Tom Whalen fired the club’s signaling cannon. Off shore, the District’s fireboat, John H. Glenn, joined Alexandria’s fireboat in sending celebratory plumes of water skyward.