A new American flag will fly high on the front lawn of the Pearl River County Hospital and Nursing Home in Poplarville just in time for Memorial Day. The hospital will host a flag appreciation ceremony today at 3 p.m. in honor of the recently donated flag and the men and women who served and continue serving the country.

During the ceremony, the 600 square foot flag will be unfurled and hoisted up to the top of the flagpole. The flag was a donation from the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors and the county’s administrative staff, said Tommie Staten, administrative services director at PRCHNH.

“Because of the hurricanes and tornadoes that have passed through over the last several years our flag has deteriorated and the county generously donated us a new one,” Staten said.

During the ceremony, Poplarville Mayor Brad Necaise and Mississippi Representative Herb Frierson will say a few words.

Other local officials who will be in attendance include Pearl River County District IV Supervisor J. Patrick Lee, County Administrator Adrain Lumpkin, PRCHNH Board of Trustee Chairman Scott Alsobrooks, Poplarville Chief of Police Charles Fazende, Poplarville Firefighter Cameron Ladner, Specialist Samantha Peters of the 857^th Engineering Unit of the Mississippi National Guard, Chaplain Shane Moore of the 186^th ARW of the Mississippi Air National Guard and a Pastor from the Oak Hill Baptist Church.

The event is open to the public and refreshments will be served after the ceremony, Staten said.