by Lex Thomas
Among the tributes showered upon longtime Sterling resident Ken Day to celebrate his 100th birthday last year, he received a flag that had fl own over the White House for seven days. Day’s family ordered the flag online with assistance from Senior Center Director Veronica Buckley to ensure the commemorative gift arrived on time.
“The flag came in a beautiful box,” says Day. “I have a flag that flies over my house at all times, but this was a real honor.”
This year, Day has loaned the flag to First Church in Sterling, where he’s been a member since 1946. The flag was raised on Memorial Day and will remain flying over First Church for the next several weeks. Day feels strongly connected to the church and has helped with many projects over the years, including building the addition to replace sheds where parishioners once stabled their horses during services.
Born in Derby, Vermont, Day moved to Sterling on April 20, 1938. A student at the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth at the time, he opted to pursue an opportunity to work at a duck farm, much to the dismay of his parents who wanted him to complete business studies, then return to Vermont to manage the family’s dairy farm and creamery.
“I made the right decision,” he says, “because the creameries shut down, but I stayed at the duck farm until 1978. I’ve been retired for 40 years. Can you believe it?”
Not only is Day active at First Church, attending most Sunday services, but he visits the Sterling Senior Center every day, driving himself from his nearby home.
Know a local hero? Send your story to lex@sterlingmeetinghouse.com.