Commander's Message, May 2023

Wednesday, June 14th is designated as Flag Day in the United States. Although Flag Day is a nationwide observance, it is not a legal holiday. But here are some interesting facts about the American Flag: 

The American Flag is not just a piece of fabric. 

The Flag of the United States represents freedom and has been an enduring symbol of the country’s ideals since its early days. It is symbolic of the fabric of our society as a nation. It has been carried far and wide as a symbol of American pride, all the while serving as an emblem of the freedom, we hold dear. 

There have been 27 versions of the American Flag. The 1777 original one had 13 stars and 13 stripes for the American colonies. Each time a state was added to the union, a star was added. We, of course, now stand with 50 stars and 13 stripes. 

The current Flag is the only one to have lasted more than 60 years. There have been many changes to the design of the American Flag. But the one we currently observe is the longest running symbol of our Nation, likely because no 

states have been added to the union since 1959. 

The Flag can be displayed for all 24 hours. While it is Federal law that the Flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset (unless there’s inclement weather), there are measures that can be taken to show the Flag for all 24 hours. All that needs to be added is proper illumination of the Flag so it can be seen in the dark. 

The colors were chosen carefully. The Red, White and Blue did not just happen by accident.           

The founding fathers wanted the colors to have meaning, not just look visually pleasing. Red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence and blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice. 

The Flag that flew at Ft. McHenry, immortalized by Francis Scott Key, is still around. A 2′′ x 5′′ swatch of that Flag was sold at an auction in 2011 for a whopping $38,000. The rest of the Flag is on display at Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington D.C. 

Five American Flags have made it to the moon. 

You have probably seen Neil Armstrong on the moon with an American Flag, but he is not the only one to plant one on the surface of the moon. Apollo missions, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17, ended with an astronaut placing a flag on the moon. 

The Flag can touch the ground and still be used. There is a myth that once a Flag touches the ground it needs to be burned or disposed of. That’s not entirely true. If a Flag is soiled or touches the ground, it can be washed and dry cleaned and continue to be used. 

Flags should be disposed of in a “dignified manner.” If an American Flag is damaged beyond repair and you need to dispose of it, you can burn it with dignity or give it to a local Veterans Service Organization (i.e., American Legion Post 3, DAV, VFW, etc.) for a dignified Flag disposal. 

The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation to call on government officials in the USA to display the Flag of the United States on all government buildings on Flag Day and to urge US residents to observe Flag Day as the anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official Flag of the United States. 

I hope you will join me in displaying “Old Glory” from your home or business on June 14th. 

For God and Country,   

402-417-8230 or Gerrywolf@aol.com or call our office

402-466-3958, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:00-12:00.