Flag Day in the United States is observed on Friday, June 14th.
Although Flag Day is a nationwide observance, it is not a legal holiday. I'd like to take a few moments of your time and talk about our amazing American Flag. As a Veteran, I think we can all agree that the American Flag is not just a piece of fabric. The Flag of the United States represents freedom. It 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 freedoms we hold dear.
There have been 27 versions of the American Flag. Our first flag, in 1777, had 13 stars and 13 stripes representing 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. The Flag can be displayed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Flag can be displayed from sunrise to sunset (unless there’s inclement weather), and, if flown at night, all that needs to be added is proper illumination of the Flag so it can be seen in the dark. The colors were carefully chosen. The Red, White and Blue did not just happen by accident.
Our 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 in his song, The Star-Spangled Banner, our national anthem, is still around. It is on display at Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington D.C. Five American Flags 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, each included 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 or otherwise 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.
I'm sharing with you a poem, written by journalist John J. Daly in 1917, entitled "A Toast to The Flag." Some of you may have heard me recite this poem at various functions.
As always, keep our veterans in your thoughts and prayers, particularly those who may be in need. Keep our active-duty service men and women, wherever they may be dispersed, in your thoughts and prayers as well.
For God and Country,
Bruce Gubser
Post 3 Commander
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