Well THAT had better not happen on the 4th.

If Flag Day festivities had been scheduled for virtually any other time besides 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14, it would have been a pleasantly patriotic diversion — like usual. But instead, at about 6:10 p.m., after the local dignitaries had all been introduced and the Guiteras and Rockwell School chorus took the stage, a downpour of epic proportions struck.

With most of the headliners, including General Chairman Chuck MacDonough, Chief Marshal/Town Administrator Steve Contente, members of the Town Council, and the Miss/Little Miss Fourth of July courts safely sheltered in the Town Common gazebo, the skies opened and near gale-force gusts of wind blew the rain sideways. The young choristers displayed incredible fortitude, singing through three selections while being subjected to the kinds of conditions normally reserved for Navy Seal candidates in training.

Most of the sizable audience remained for the performance, no doubt reluctant to be seen fleeing from weather that elementary school singers were gamely enduring. As soon as the singers stopped, so did the rain.

It was just enough of a reprieve for a speech, and if there was ever a good year for a two-fer, this was it. Taking the mic wearing both hats, Chief Marshal/Town Administrator Contente greeted the sodden crowd.

“You’re already wet. You probably don't mind that I read my speech right? It's very short,” he said, to a smattering of wet applause. “I said that one way or another we are raising that flag today on the Town Common. And so if I'm doing it alone, so be it, we're going to raise that flag.”

Speaking as Chief Marshal, Contente said his advice to the Town Administrator would be that it is as important to be a moral leader as it is to be an administrative leader.

“You will never find unanimity — look for consensus…and identify yourself with your community,” he said. As the Town Administrator to the Chief Marshal, he said, “The Constitution and Bill of Rights are our foundation that gets our country through trying times; use your position as Chief Marshal to promote them and our nation; have an open mind and share joy in the success of others.”

To the crowd, which was still strong despite the gathering black clouds bearing down from the west heralding the second (and stronger, as it turned out) phase of the storm, he said, “To all of you here today for Flag Day, thank you for your commitment to freedom in a peaceful and prosperous town of Bristol.”

Following a quick introduction of department heads and his family, Contente wished everyone a happy and peaceful Fourth of July before inviting any children remaining at the event to come take turns helping to raise the flag — an effort that typically requires about 120 crank-turns by a DPW employee.

“Whoever's left to join us and help raise the flag, let's raise the flag together.”