Raising Tradition: 12 Years of Honor on the Ocean City Boardwalk
For 12 years, Steven Carcarey has been a face behind the daily Boardwalk flag raising
For the last 12 years, Steven Carcarey has been raising the flag on the Ocean City Boardwalk.
Carcarey, who is autistic and diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, is a special young man who cherishes being part of the community and honoring the veterans.
Over the last few years, he has raised the flag every day in the summer.
Each morning has been meaningful.
Last month, though, one day rose above the others.
“I would have to say it was pretty special for the 250th birthday,” Carcarey said about the July 4th flag raising. “It was very crowded and I really think we got the message across on celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday.
“And it was a really special event overall.”
Carcarey, 20, has been vacationing in Ocean City since he was born. Ten yeas ago, his parents, Steve and Patrizia, purchased a home on the island.
“They are all special, however this year was overwhelming by the crowd that gathered that morning,” Patrizia said about Independence Day. “I thank the veterans for allowing Steven this opportunity.” They can ask anyone and have a special guest flag raiser that morning in particular, especially for such a special occasion, but they wanted Steven.
“That really stuck out to my husband and I, that truly Steven is part of the daily flag raising. It’s special to them to have him there and it was so special for us to witness it on such a momentous occasion.”
“I think one of the things that as parents is humbling for us is that were not down here all the time with Steven and that he’s so dedicated to his country that he’s there every single morning at 9 o’clock,” Steve said. “How many kids would sleep in without his parents here and say, you know what, I’ll miss it or I’ll skip it. But you know, rain or shine, Steven’s there every single day, every morning at 9 o’clock to raise that flag for the city.” At the age of 13, Steven was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome.
“I never thought of myself as an inspiration,” Steven said. “I just saw myself as doing what I could for my community.”
“I can think of a few people that say they are grateful to me, but I never heard anyone call me an inspiration before,” Steven added.
He began raising the flag in the morning on the Boardwalk at the OC Waterpark and then later the event moved to the Music Pier. Every morning, he raises the flag while the veterans salute.
Jack Hagan of the American Legion Post 524 in Ocean City said Carcarey “is an inspiration to both young and old by his presence at the raising of our flag each morning at the Music Pier.”
“This young man’s respect for the Flag is clearly demonstrated by the care he takes in raising Old Glory,” Jack added. “He brings a smile to the face of every veteran present for the event.”
Mayor Jay Gillian also acknowledged Steven’s immense impact, saying: “It’s great having Steven at the daily flag raising. He’s a big help to the children that volunteer to raise the flag, and is a great ambassador for the event year after year.”
Barb Myers was responsible for the flag raising at the OC Waterpark for many years. This ceremony has taken place every morning since Sept. 11, 2001.
“One morning, while raising the flags, I looked down and saw the face of a young boy staring at me with passion, love, and patriotism in his eyes,” Barb said. “Those were the eyes of Steven Carcarey. The very next day, there he was, with the same look in his eyes, so I invited him to come up on the deck with me to raise the flags. He accepted with great excitement.
“He continued to show up every chance he could to show his devout patriotism,” Barb continued. “At the end of that summer, we presented him with one of the flags that flew over the Ocean City Boardwalk.
“I have now known Steven for over 11 years, and he is the perfect example of patriotism in Ocean City.”
Steven’s parents have owned the Italian Bakery Pizzeria Napoletana in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, since 1994.
“When [the flag raising] first started, they would just pick kids here and there,” Patrizia said. “And Barb saw Steven there faithfully and she picked him a few times and it just got to be where he got picked because he was always there, a special face that they always saw and it just grew.
“Then it moved to the Music Pier and that’s when the veterans took over and we met special vets that took to Steven,” Patrizia added. “And they formed friendships with us. And they just kept on asking him here and there to raise the flag. But then the past few summers, it’s been every day. And it’s so humbling to have people look out for our son and to take him in and make him feel special.”
Steven, who graduated with honors from Perkiomen Valley High School, just completed his sophomore year at Ursinus College, where he has earned a 3.75 GPA and is an Abele Scholar.
“We are active in voicing advocacy for autism,” Patrizia said. “There have been so many parents who come to us and say, ‘my son or my grandchild is autistic and I look at Steven and I hope that someday they can do special tasks or live a life that Steven’s living.
“And then we do see other families that have nonverbal children who have to work a lot harder, and it just totally makes us appreciate more and advocate more for autism.”
Steven doesn’t let autism define him. He lets his actions and serving his community do that.
“I never thought I’d be doing it this long,” Steven said. “Back then, I just wanted to do something to honor our country and honor those who couldn’t be with us.
“I do plan to do it for the foreseeable future, as long as they will let me.”
By Kevin Callahan