Why Should Americans Celebrate June 14th?

June 14 is the anniversary of the birthday of several important elements of American history. The most recent event was the birth of Donald John Trump, who was born on June 14, 1946. Is it any wonder that he loves America and the American flag so much? He always shows love and respect to the American flag, and his theme song is “God Bless the USA,” which is played at each of his rallies.

The second event that is honored on June 14^th is Flag Day. According to this history site, there was no unifying flag for the soldiers to rally around when war broke out in the colonies in 1775. In June 1775, the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia to create the Continental Army. They wanted a united fighting force that would be more organized against the armies of Great Britain. The creation of the Army led to the creation of the first flag for America, “the Continental Colors.” 

The first flag looked much like the British flag with its “13 red and white alternating stripes and a Union Jack in the corner.” General George Washington worried that such a flag would not serve as a “confidence builder for the revolutionary effort” and looked for “a new symbol of freedom” for America. The article continued as follows:

On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress took a break from writing the Articles of Confederation and passed a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

Over 100 years later, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson marked the anniversary of that decree by officially establishing June 14 as Flag Day.

The third event has already been mentioned – the creation of the American Army. Thomas W. Spoehr is a retired Army lieutenant general, and he now serves as director of the Center for National Defense at The Heritage Foundation. He wrote the following about the birth of the U.S. Army that has stood between us and the enemies of our nation for nearly 250 years. 

On Wednesday, the U.S. Army turns 248 years old. It was born by congressional resolution even before America was a nation.

The words “This we will defend,” emblazoned on the Army flag, encapsulate the ideals of the Army. They reflect the requirement that the primary mission of the Army is to defend America and its interests.

Also on the flag are 190 battle streamers denoting the campaigns fought by the Army, ranging from the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775, to the most recent streamer for Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq.

The streamers – long, colored ribbons – are physical testament to the sacrifices made by the Army in defense of the nation.

Those battles and campaigns are the core of why America has an Army, but they do not represent the sole contribution.

Indeed, the history of the Army is, in no small part, the history of the country. The Army has trained and prepared leaders for further service to America. You need look no further than George Washington, Dwight Eisenhower, George Marshall, and Colin Powell, leaders who started in the Army, but who went onto hold high office in American government.

I encourage all Americans to fly the Stars and Stripes tomorrow to celebrate the birth of the American flag and the U.S. Army. In addition, all Americans who can see that Trump is being persecuted should fly their U.S. flags in support of him.

Fly the Flag!

            June 14 is known as Flag Day in the United States. It is a day set aside to commemorate the adoption of Old Glory as the national flag on June 14, 1777. (Is it a coincidence that June 14^th is also the birthday of the U.S. Army?) June 14 was officially established as Flag Day in 1916 in a proclamation by the President of the United States. Even though Flag Day is not an official federal holiday, Congress established National Flag Day in August 1949. The President of the United States is requested to make an annual proclamation concerning the commemoration of Flag Day. This writer finds it interesting to learn that there is also a week known as Flag Week and Flag Day usually falls within that week.

            Flag Day is an official day to honor the U.S. flag, but patriotic Americans fly the flag at other times as well. Some Americans raise the flag every morning and lower it every night, while others fly their flags on holidays or other special days. On 9/11 the U.S.A. was turned red, white, and blue by the many U.S. flags flying. September 11 is now known as Patriot Day, a day that still turns red, white, and blue. Independence Day, celebrated on July 4^th, is the birthday of our nation, and this day brings lots of red, white, and blue flags, clothing, decorations, and tableware. Most Americans want to see the Star Spangled Banner flying high and proclaiming freedom.

            Yet, there are people living in America who do not want to see the U.S. flag at any time or in any place. This group includes enemies of the United States, but it also embraces other people, people who should be grateful for the freedoms and opportunities that the flag represents.  One such person is Craig Calcaterra, the lead baseball writer for NBC Sports, who claims that the “image of the American flag is political.” He wants to keep sports “political free” by eliminating the U.S. flag from all sporting events. This writer guesses that Calcaterra would also like to eliminate the singing of the U.S. anthem at sporting events.

            Numerous American students are denied the right to wear patriotic clothing to school in order to appease those who feel uncomfortable with it. There are schools that no longer require students to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, and other schools that have eliminated the Pledge from their program. Still other people stomp Old Glory into the ground or light it on fire.

            There are people, living in the United States and taking advantages of all the freedoms and opportunities provided by this great nation, who are unhappy when they see the U.S. flag. This writer questions the purpose for their being in America. Why are they here if they hate America so much? This writer suggests that all these people move to another country where they will not be forced to see the U.S. flag flying proudly and proclaiming freedom. Fly the flag and be grateful for the freedoms it provides – or leave!

Flag Day

                The birthday of the United States of America is Independence Day or Fourth of July.  The process for a special day of recognition for our flag began in 1885 from the effort of a young school teacher in Wisconsin who assigned his students to write essays on the flag and its significance.  Even though Bernard J. Cigrand is recognized as the person who started the process, he was assisted by other people.  George Balch, a kindergarten teacher in New York City, planned appropriate ceremonies for the children at his school in 1889.  His idea to observe Flag Day was later adopted by the New York State Board of Education.  The Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia celebrated Flag Day in 1891, and the New York Society of the Sons of the Revolution celebrated Flag Day the following year.  All these celebrations took place on June 14.

                The National Flag Day Foundation established their mission “to carry on the tradition of the first flag day observance.  On June 14^th, 1885, Bernard J. Cigrand, a 19-year-old teacher at Stony Hill School, placed a 10 inch, 38-star flag in a bottle on his desk, then assigned essays on the flag and its significance.  This observance commemorated Congress’s adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777.  This observance was also the beginning of Cigrand’s long years of fervent and devoted effort to bring about national recognition and observance of Flag Day.  The crowning achievement of his life came at age fifty when President Wilson, on May 30, 1916, issued a proclamation calling for a nationwide observance of Flag Day.  Then in 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating the 14^th day of June every year as National Flag Day.  On June 14^th, 2004, the 108^th U.S. Congress voted unanimously on H.R. 662 that Flag Day originated in Ozaukee County, Wauneka, Wisconsin.

                “The National Flag Day Foundation joins forces with community groups and individuals that love our flag and want to keep its traditions alive.  “Our goal is to teach Americanism, using Flag history, enlisting 4-H groups, VFW, Scouts and other patriots to teach the lessons of our great flag.

                “The National Flag Day Foundation initiates fund raising efforts to support Bernard J. Cigrand’s dream to fittingly commemorate the birthday of the American Flag and to carry the message of our Flag to the future leaders of our great country – our youth.  We hope you will join us in our mission.”

                The American flag represents our independence as well as our unity as a nation because we are “one nation, under God, indivisible.”  We should always show respect for our flag and what it represents.  We should remember that our flag has flown proudly in every battle fought by Americans and many people gave their lives protecting it.  In battles of every kind – from Tripoli to the World Trade Center – Americans have raised the flag to show our presence, unity and strength.  Our flag even stands on the moon to show that Americans conquered space. 

                Francis Scott Key expressed his feelings about the flag in our National Anthem “The Star Spangled Banner.”  After shells were shot at Fort McHenry all night long, he rejoiced when he saw the flag still flying.

Oh say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming,

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,

O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof thru the night that our flag was still there.

Oh say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen thru the mists of the deep,

Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,

In full glory reflected now shines on the stream;

Tis the star-spangled banner!  Oh, long may it wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand

Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!

Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heaven’s-rescued land

Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto:  “In God is our trust!”

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

                May we all appreciate the opportunity to fly our glorious flag and give appropriate honor to it. May we remember that it represents our independence and unity as Americans.  We should fly our flag every day but especially on Flag Day.  As Americans we have the right to be proud of our nation and its ensign.  As we fly our flags we should make sure that we display it appropriately as there is a right way and a wrong way to display the flag.  Flag Etiquette is explained as follows:

·          The flag is usually flown from sunrise to sunset.  Raise it briskly in the morning; lower it slowly at sunset, ceremoniously.

·          Never fly your flag at night without a light on it.

·          Following a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at “half-staff” for 30 days.

·          When flown vertically on a pole, make sure the stars and field of blue is at the top end of the pole.

·          When flown with other flags, the American flag is always at the top of the pole with state and other flags below it.

·          Never let the flag touch the ground.

·          When your flag is not in use, fold it appropriately before storing it.

·          When your flag is old and/or tattered, retire it by burning or burying it, not by throwing it in the trash.  Boy Scouts know the proper ceremony for retiring the flag and can help you dispose of yours appropriately.

Flag Day

                    On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States of America.  Flag Day was first officially observed in 1877 on the centennial anniversary of the selection of the flag, but it was not officially recognized until 1949 when President Harry S. Truman signed the National Flag Day Bill.

Some people may wonder why we pledge allegiance to a piece of cloth.  This piece of cloth with its red and white stripes and fifty stars on a field of blue is the flag of the United States.  This flag stands for America's values, her traditions, her history, her heritage, her majesty, her nobility, her compassion, and her humility. When we pledge allegiance to the flag, we promise loyalty to all that the flag represents.

The most popular name for the flag of the United States of America is the Stars and Stripes, but it is known by several names, including Old Glory and the Star-Spangled Banner.

                    The colors of red, white, and blue stand for our land, our people, our government and our ideals. The flag of our nation stirs patriots to joy, to courage, and to sacrifice. Our flag - as well as the flags of all nations - should be treated with respect at all times. People who burn flags or desecrate them in other ways are rude and without proper manners or knowledge. There are many, many and much better ways to show opposition than to burn a nation's flag.

                    Gordon B. Hinckley said, "May God bless this nation of which you and I are a part.  Bless her leaders that they may rise above pettiness and live after the tradition of the Founding Fathers.  Bless our industry that it may benefit all mankind.  Bless our science that out of it may come health and happiness of the peoples of the earth.  Bless the people of this nation, you, every one of you, and me, and all who walk beneath its glorious flag with gratitude and appreciation, with respect and reverence, as well as with love."  (Stand A Little Taller, p 173.)

Flag Day is an important day in the United States, and the people of the nation display the flag on their homes, businesses, and public buildings.  Flag Day is an excellent day to ask God's blessings upon our nation.  Next Thursday is June 14th - Flag Day in the United States.  Flag Day is a wonderful occasion to fly the flag!

Flag Day

"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."

Why do we pledge allegiance to a flag? Our flag is a piece of cloth that stands for America's values, her traditions, her history, her heritage, her majesty, her nobility, her compassion, and her humility. The flag of the United States of America is known by several names, among which are Old Glory, the Star Spangled Banner and the Stars and Stripes. The Stars and Stripes is the most popular name for the red, white and blue flag.

The colors of our flag stand for our land, our people, our government and our ideals. The flag of our nation stirs patriots to joy, to courage, and to sacrifice. Our flag - as well as the flags of all nations - should be treated with respect at all times. People who burn flags in opposition show by their action that they are rude and without proper manners or knowledge. There are much better ways to show opposition than to burn a nation's flag.

In 1949 President Harry S. Truman officially recognized June 14 as Flag Day by signing the National Flag Day Bill. Flag Day is celebrated in memory of June 14, 1777, the day that the flag know as the Stars and Stripes was formally adopted by the Continental Congress as the official flag of the United States. Flag Day was first officially observed in 1877 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the selection of the flag. Flag Day is not a legal holiday except in Pennsylvania.

Flag Day is an important day in the United States, and the people of the nation display the flag on their homes, businesses, and public buildings. Flag Day is an excellent day to ask God's blessings upon our nation. The following prayers were offered by modern-day prophets.

"Joseph Smith wrote, "Have mercy, O Lord, upon all the nations of the earth; have mercy upon the rulers of our land; may those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the Constitution of our land, by our fathers, be established forever" (Doctrine and Covenants 109:54).

Gordon B. Hinckley said, "May God bless this nation of which you and I are a part. Bless her leaders that they may rise above pettiness and live after the tradition of the Founding Fathers. Bless our industry that it may benefit all mankind. Bless our science that out of it may come health and happiness of the peoples of the earth. Bless the people of this nation, you, every one of you, and me, and all who walk beneath its glorious flag with gratitude and appreciation, with respect and reverence, as well as with love." (Stand A Little Taller, p 173.)

June 14 is Flag Day. Please fly your Stars and Stripes!

Flag Day

A flag is a piece of cloth that stands for something. The flag of the United States of America is known by several names, among which are Old Glory, the Star Spangled Banner and the Stars and Stripes. The Stars and Stripes is the most popular name for the red, white and blue flag. The colors of our flag stand for our land, our people, our government and our ideals. The flag of our nation stirs patriots to joy, to courage, and to sacrifice. Our flag should be treated with respect at all times. In 1949 President Harry S. Truman officially recognized June 14 as Flag Day by signing the National Flag Day Bill. Flag Day is celebrated in memory of June 14, 1777, the day that the Stars and Stripes was officially adopted by the Continental Congress as the official flag of the United States. Flag Day was first officially observed in 1877 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the selection of the flag. Flag Day is not a legal holiday except in Pennsylvania. Flag Day is an important day in the United States, and the people of the nation display the flag on their homes, businesses, and public buildings. Flag Day is an excellent day to ask God's blessings upon our nation. The following prayers were offered by modern-day prophets. "Joseph Smith wrote, "Have mercy, O Lord, upon all the nations of the earth; have mercy upon the rulers of our land; may those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the Constitution of our land, by our fathers, be established forever" (Doctrine and Covenants 109:54). Gordon B. Hinckley said, "May God bless this nation of which you and I are a part. Bless her leaders that they may rise above pettiness and live after the tradition of the Founding Fathers. Bless our industry that it may benefit all mankind. Bless our science that out of it may come health and happiness of the peoples of the earth. Bless the people of this nation, you, every one of you, and me, and all who walk beneath its glorious flag with gratitude and appreciation, with respect and reverence, as well as with love." (Stand A Little Taller, p 173.) Please fly your Stars and Stripes!

Patriotism

Parents who teach patriotism to their children strengthen their family, community, state and nation. The word patriotism comes from the Greek word patris, which means fatherland. Patriotism is the love and loyal support of one's country. It includes a love for the country's land and people, admiration for its customs and traditions, pride in its history, and devotion to its welfare. It is a normal attitude or feeling and has existed throughout history and among all peoples. It requires public service and responsibility of all citizens. It involves serving one's country in the best way possible. It requires loyalty to country. A good way to teach patriotism to your children is to take your family on an outing with the specific purpose of purchasing a United States flag. Then teach your children to respect the flag by your attitude and example. I hope that you will fly your flag often. Flag Day is June 14 and is an excellent day to begin the practice of flying the flag of your nation.