June 14th Is Flag Day!
Happy 249th Birthday To The Stars & Stripes!
"The American flag is the symbol of our freedom, national pride, and history."
... Mike Fitzpatrick
June 14th is Flag Day and our Stars & Stripes are celebrating their 249th birthday today. Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the American Flag on June 14th, 1777. Since then, the American flag has undergone 27 official versions/designs. Each time a state was added to the union, a new star was added to our flag. The current 50-star flag is now 66 years old.
"We take the star from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty."
... George Washington
Flag Day is one of those holidays that many people are not always aware of as we don't have parades, don't get the day off from work or school. As a result, it's easy to let the day pass without noticing.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation officially establishing June 14th as Flag Day. In August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress, even though it's still not an official federal holiday. (Maybe if it was, more attention would be paid to Flag Day.)
If you haven't already put out your flag, go out and proudly fly the Stars and Stripes today in your front yard! My flag is out there along with a red, white, and blue wreath on my front door, stars and stripes pillows on my garden bench, and bunting across my front porch. All were put out for Memorial Day Weekend and will continue to decorate my home through Independence Day.
"Sure I wave the American flag. Do you know a better flag to wave? Sure I love my country with all her faults. I'm not ashamed of that, never have been, never will be."
... John Wayne
DO YOU KNOW WHAT OUR FLAG'S RED, WHITE & BLUE COLORS STAND FOR?
Red stands for valor and hardiness.
Blue stands for justice, perseverance and vigilance.
White stands for purity and innocence.
HOW TO HANDLE & FLY THE AMERICAN FLAG:
- Give worn out flags to the American Legion or the Boy and Girl Scouts, who burn these flags in a formal ceremony on June 14th.
- The American flag should never be allowed to touch the ground when taken down.
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The American flag should be flown only between sunrise and sunset, but if you do fly it after dark, it should be illuminated.
- The American flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
- The American flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, unless it's an all weather flag.
- The American flag should be positioned to the left side of your front door, not the right.
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
I am the flag of the United States of America.
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I stand side by side with the Maple Leaf on
the worlds' longest undefended border.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.
I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners,
my head is a little higher,
my colors a little truer.
I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped — I am saluted.
I am loved — I am revered.
I am respected — and I am feared.
I have fought in every battle of every war
for more then 200 years.
I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox.
I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France,
in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy.
Guam, Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me,
I was there.
I led my troops, I was dirty, battle worn and tired,
but my soldiers cheered me And I was proud.
I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of
countries I have helped set free. It does not hurt,
for I am invincible.
I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled on
the streets of my country. And when it's by those whom
I've served in battle — it hurts.
But I shall overcome — for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over
the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.
When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded
comrades on the battlefield, When I am flown at
half-mast to honor my soldier, Or when I lie in the
trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their
fallen son or daughter, I am proud.
MY NAME IS OLD GLORY. LONG MAY I WAVE.
... Howard Schneiber
Happy 249th Birthday To The Stars & Stripes!
God Bless The USA!
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