Flag Day! June 14th – What does it mean?
Our flag has long been a symbol of pride and patriotism – one that people take very seriously and have extremely strong feelings about – on both sides of that particular coin.
It’s a bit paradoxical – the flag symbolizes all the blood, sweat and tears of history to create a society and government where the basis allows us to speak against and burn that symbol. However, respect and decorum demand that we not do that exact thing.
In other words, protest and rail against the inequalities and injustices of society, there’s plenty to choose from in today’s world, but do not disrespect our flag. It is entirely possible to remain respectful and make a difference. We do not have to be offensive to be effective. In fact, often our message will be better received when we are not completely polarizing. Remember – flies and honey!!
Fly our flag proudly and understand that everything it stands for allows us the opportunities to change what offends us.
So where did Flag Day come from? Teachers!
The History of Flag Day
Quoted from https://www.military.com/flag-day
The first celebration of the U.S. Flag’s birthday was held in 1877 on the 100th anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777. However, it is believed that the first annual recognition of the flag’s birthday dates back to 1885 when school teacher, BJ Cigrand, first organized a group of Wisconsin school children to observe June 14 – the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes as the Flag’s Birthday. Cigrand, now known as the ‘Father of Flag Day,’ continued to publically advocate the observance of June 14 as the flag’s ‘birthday’, or ‘Flag Day’ for years.
Just a few years later the efforts of another school teacher, George Balch, led to the formal observance of ‘Flag Day’ on June 14 by the New York State Board of Education. Over the following years as many as 36 state and local governments began adopted the annual observance. For over 30 years Flag Day remained a state and local celebration.
In 1916, the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 became a nationally observed event by a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson. However, it was not designated as National Flag Day until August 3rd, 1949, when an Act of Congress designated June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.
Here are eight reminders of how to properly treat the flag
Excerpts from https://www.almanac.com/content/us-flag-etiquette-rules-and-guidelines#
- When the flag is hung vertically on a wall, window, or door, the Union (blue section) should be to the observer’s left. When the flag is hung either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the Union should be to the observer’s left.
- When displayed over a street, the flag should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street, or to the east in a north and south street.
- On a platform, the flag should be above and behind the speaker, with the union uppermost and to the observer’s left.
- When displayed from a staff in a church or auditorium, the flag should occupy the position of honor and be placed at the speaker’s right as he faces the audience.
- In the United States, no other flag should be placed above the American flag or, if they are to be placed on the same level, to the right of the American flag.
- The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose, nor embroidered on cushions or handkerchiefs, printed on paper napkins or boxes, nor used as any portion of a costume.
- The flag should never be displayed with the union (stars) down, unless as a signal of dire distress.
- The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
Unfortunately, it also seems we’ve had more than our share of flying the flag at half staff in recent years.
There is a website that monitors and provides details when official proclimations are made by the President – you can find more info here – www.halfstaff.org
Do you fly a flag at your home? Did any of this surprise you? Let us know in the comments! Don’t forget to follow us on FB and Twitter!
Make it a great day!!
It’s CFRS – Positively.