How many people know that today is Flag Day, or what it means?
Flag Day, 14 June, marks the anniversary of the adoption by Congress in 1777 of the Stars and Stripes as emblem of the nation. Celebrations of the flag began in local communities throughout the country during the nineteenth century, largely for the purpose of educating children in history. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson, and later, in 1927, President Calvin Coolidge, suggested that 14 June be observed as Flag Day. It was not until 3 August 1949 that the National Flag Day Bill became law, giving official recognition to 14 June to celebrate the flag.
What does our Nation's flag mean to you? I offer this quote by Franklin Knight Lane:
"I am whatever you make me, nothing more. I am your belief in yourself, your dream of what a people may become.... I am the clutch of an idea, and the reasoned purpose of resolution. I am no more than you believe me to be and I am all that you believe I can be. I am whatever you make me, nothing more."
Remember to fly your flag today, and every day.
"The flag of the United States has not been created by rhetorical sentences in declarations of independence and in bills of rights. It has been created by the experience of a great people, and nothing is written upon it that has not been written by their life. It is the embodiment, not of a sentiment, but of a history." ~Woodrow Wilson
P.S. It's also the 231st birthday of the United States Army...Happy Birthday soldiers!
2 comments:
This reminded me that I need to procure a new flag.
Even the best one only seems to last about a year for me, even the polyester ones that Washington sells, after being hoisted over the Capitol.
And then, there's the appropriate decommissioning and disposal of the old flags.
I believe ours will last another year...the blue is a bit faded, but the red and white stripes are still looking quite good.
In case you're looking, the VFWs do a decommissioning ceremony every year...
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