SIDNEY, Neb. — As festivities for Sidney’s annual Gold Rush Days got underway Saturday morning in Legion Park, local residents paused to honor the American flag with a formal Flag Day observance.

Les Larsen, joined by Dale and Bonita Dickinson, raised the large Garrison Flag during a brief ceremony, reading aloud a proclamation from Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen recognizing June 14 as Flag Day in the state.

"The American Flag and being able to take care of the flag in Legion Park makes me very proud to be an American," Larsen said.

Gov. Pillen’s proclamation highlights the flag as a unifying symbol and a source of comfort for more than two centuries. It acknowledges the flag’s role in honoring the fallen, uplifting the grieving and instilling pride in generations of Americans.

The proclamation was signed by both Pillen and Secretary of State Bob Evnen, and calls on all Nebraskans to take note of the annual observance.

Gold Rush Days continues through the weekend with community events, food and historical reenactments in Legion Park.