The annual Four Flags ceremony was held at Crescent Park.

Flags displaying the nations that have laid claim to the land that is now Warren — the Seneca Nation, French, British and American — were raised at Heritage Point.

Boy Scouts from Troop 13 helped raise the flags that were formally presented by representatives of the city’s service clubs.

The Warren Area High School band performed both before the event but also the various national anthems associated with the flags. Garry Campbell performed Trail of Tears when the Seneca Nation flag was raised.

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Members of the Warren Area High School band performed throughout Saturday’s Four Flags event.

John Shaughnesy said that this year’s event marks the 56th year the flags have been raised and the 55th ceremony — 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A moment of silence in memory of Tom McKeever, who Shaughnesy said helped raise funds for the flags.

Mayor David Wortman spoke and said that it’s fitting that Memorial Day weekend gatherings start in Warren on Saturday, given that the namesake of the city — Dr. Joseph Warren — was killed in action at Bunker Hill.

The flags show a “history of conflict and community,” he added.

Wortman, a retired U.S. Army colonel, said that all members of the Armed Forces swear to uphold the constitution, which, he said, is where the “true definition” of our nation can be found.

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Mike Holtz as a member of the Warren Lions Club formally presents the Seneca Nation of Indians flag to a member of Boy Scout Troop 13 during Four Flags on Saturday.

He called the United States a “nation born out of revolution,” explaining that the Constitution “further defined to the world what this new country was about.”

“The alternative to living in freedom is unthinkable,” he said, asking people as they leave to take the time to remember those who sacrificed today so that we can have a tomorrow.

Scouts work to raise the Kings Colors during Saturday’s Four Flags event at Crescent Park.

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton The Betsy Ross American flag was the fourth and final flag raised during Saturday’s Four Flags ceremony held at Heritage Point. The four flags - Seneca Nation, French, English and American - represent the nations that have claimed dominion over the area.