Members of the Hayfield Secondary School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps not only faced the pressure of raising the flag for the first time at the soon to be open Alexandria Wegmans. They also had to figure out the pole’s hidden crank mechanism located behind a locked door.

But when the time came on Saturday morning, May 16, Armed Forces Day, the team’s training and preparation helped the ceremony to go off without fault.

The group’s Cadet Captain, senior Matt Bour said the experience was all about “honoring America.” Bour, junior Nia Moore, junior Sasha Cunnane, freshman Bryan Landin and junior Jazmine Henderson were hand-picked from the school’s 172 cadets for this ceremony.

The Pennsylvania-based grocery store chain is scheduled to open this Alexandria location at the corner of Telegraph and Beulah Roads in June. The third branch in Fairfax County, it will anchor an all-new shopping destination called Hilltop Village Center.

Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander Col. Michelle Mitchell was on hand to assist with the dedication.

“It is fitting that Wegmans would choose to raise their flag on Armed Forces Day, symbolizing their commitment to the community and their support of our military, veterans and their families,” Mitchell said in her remarks. “Whenever the flag is raised, we are reminded of our unity and our commitment to ensuring liberty and justice for all. We are honoring our country and the hard-working men and women who have served and defended it.”

With the new store being a close neighbor with Fort Belvoir, Mitchell said its arrival is well-anticipated” on post and expects it to be “great for business, bringing a lot to the local economy.”

Gary Kelch of Burke and WJ Leonard of North Springfield, members of the Springfield-based Post 7327 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization, were among honored guests for the morning’s dedication.

“It was a very nice ceremony,” said Leonard. “We like to coordinate with people like Wegmans to organize picnics and other community projects.”

Kelch agreed that “It’s nice to see a community business do such an honor.”

The Hilltop Village Wegmans is scheduled to open June 14.