Flag Day (Blog #4)

You're a grand old flag,

You're a high flying flag

And forever in peace may you wave.

You're the emblem ofThe land I love.

The home of the free and the brave.

Ev'ry heart beats true'neath the Red, White and Blue,

Where there's never a boast or brag.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

June 14 is National Flag Day in the United States of America every year. I remember talking about it in elementary school near the end of every school year. Since we would already be out of school on summer vacation, we were reminded to "fly our flags" on June 14. Almost each year, I would also hear that one of my classmates celebrated her birthday on June 14 so she was excited that is what a national observance day.

Of course, some of you may never even have heard of Flag Day. Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States of America in 1777. First celebrated in New York, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation in 1916 establishing Flag Day as an official observance. However, Congress did not get in on the act until 1949 when Flag Day became an official Act of Congress. Not an official federal holiday, the state of Pennsylvania has celebrated Flag Day as a state holiday since 1937. Quincy, Massachussetts holds the longest running Flag Day parade and Troy, New York attracts the largest crowds to its Flag Day parade each year.

All of us will recognize that today has passed with very little fanfare, at least here in the upper midwestern reaches of the United States of America. Maybe there was a brief mention of the observance on a local news show. Aside from that and the notice of a few extra flags around town flying today, we hardly noticed anything different about June 14, 2009. This year, 2009, we have not only the opportunity to observe National Flag Day but also National Flag week, beginning today.

"Our flag’s journey has been long. It has seen our Nation through war and peace, triumph and tragedy. It flew above the walls of Fort Sumter, South Carolina, at the outset of the Civil War. It stood on Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima during World War II. During the Civil Rights Movement, determined protesters on the streets of Selma, Alabama, proudly displayed its colors. Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, Old Glory flew over the southwestern wall of the Pentagon and the rubble of the World Trade Center. Today, the men and women of the United States Armed Forces bear our flag as they serve bravely around the world.

The flag is still more than a historical symbol: it is part of our culture. In our schools children pledge allegiance to our flag and recite the ideals upon which our Nation was founded. Families sit on their front porches under a billowing Stars and Stripes. And each day as the flag is raised above military installations and government buildings, we are reminded of the great sacrifices that have been made in defense of our Nation.

The Stars and Stripes tells our Nation’s story and embodies its highest ideals. Its display reminds us of America’s promise and guides us toward a brighter tomorrow."

[FLAG DAY AND NATIONAL FLAG WEEK, 2009

Presidential Proclamation, 11 June 2009

President Barack Obama]

God bless our native land! Firm may it ever stand

Thro' storm and night!

When the wild tempests rave, Ruler of wind and wave

Do Thou our country save By Thy great might.

So shall our prayers arise To God above the skies;

On Him we wait.

Thou who art ever nigh, Guarding with watchful eye,

To Thee aloud we cry, God save the State! Amen.

_____________

~ DB Turnmire