Quote for the WeekIn 1917, President Woodrow Wilson said: "This flag, which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation. The choices are ours. It floats in majestic silence above the hosts that execute those choices, whether in peace or in war. And yet, though silent, it speaks to us — speaks to us of the past, or the men and women who went before us, and of the records they wrote upon it."
June 14 is Flag Day with the week designated as National Flag Week. During that week, the President usually issues a proclamation urging Americans to fly the American flag for the entire week.
In 1777, the Second Continental Congress of the fledgling United States of America adopted the flag with its red and white stripes and the field of blue with thirteen stars. Flag Day commemorates that event.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that established June 14 as Flag Day. Though it's still not an official federal holiday, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress in 1949 and has been celebrated ever since.
Takeaway Truth
Do your part this year. Fly a flag. If you don't have one, get one. They're not that expensive. Donate to a veterans organization. Do something to celebrate, and make it an annual event - a family event.
A few months ago, my wife rescued a beat-up flag from a dumpster and gave to the American Legion for proper disposal. Too many people these days are unaware of flag etiquette, and a shocking amount do not realize the importance of our flag.
ReplyDeleteSince Flag Day also happened to be the birthday of my father-in-law, the family honors his memory by going out for ice cream sundaes instead of dinner.
Jerry, I think you should honor his memory more often than just once a year....
ReplyDeleteIt used to be not only improper flag etiquette but also a violation of federal law to wear the flag on clothing, but during the 1960s, they changed the law, because too many police departments had made a flag patch part of their uniform. It still strikes me as disrespectful, but cops are allowed to make up the laws to suit themselves, it seems.
Thank you for commenting, Jerry and Harl.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct in that many people do not know proper flag etiquette. Sadly, many were not taught to respect the flag the way my generation was.