In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.(Wikipedia)
With all that's happening in the news--oil disaster in the gulf, World Cup, self admitted murderer Joran Vandersloot, Gary Coleman's death, ipad security breach, Tony awards, and so much more, there hasn't been much, if any coverage of Flag Day. It's not an official federal holiday, but parades and other commemorative events are held each year on this day in cities and towns all across the United States.
The towns in my area go all out and have the U.S.A. flag everywhere you look, even on light posts. And I know there are so many better photos of the flag than mine above, but I wanted to post a photo that I had taken. It was actually taken from quite a distance (my neighbor's across the highway) using 4x optical zoom. My neighbor goes all out with the flag protocol. His flag is huge and lit up at night.
I usually have one in my front lawn, but it was tattered and Flag etiquette and standards of respect state that if it is so worn then it is not fit to serve as a symbol of our country. It will be taken to a place such as the local American Legion Hall, where they will destroy the flag by burning in a dignified manner.
If you are not familiar with Flag Rules and Regulations, you might find this website interesting. It shows many flag code violations that made the news, including my favorite--a photo from September 11, 2006, President Bush and the first lady stand on a carpet of the American flag at Ground Zero in Manhattan. Section 8b of the Flag Code reads, "The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground..."(source) You would think an American President would know these things.
And if you think I am too late in posting about Flag Day...WRONG! The entire week of June 14 is designated as "National Flag Week." During National Flag Week, the president will issue a proclamation urging U.S. citizens to fly the American flag for the duration of that week.(Wikipedia)
I think most of us that fly the flag will continue to fly it long after the week is over!
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3 comments:
I hate to say that no one around here makes a big deal out of Flag Day, and it shouldn't be that way.
Darn! You're right about the lack of coverage in the media about it. I didn't even know about it or I would have put our flag out.
I had an incident over the flag a few years ago at work. I got in to work first (as usual) and found the flag off the pole and on the ground, soiled. I picked it up and brought it inside and draped it across some chairs in my office. It needed to be washed and I was going to see if someone wanted to volunteer to take it home and wash it.
An hour later a huge guy showed up in my office (ex-marine of course), snorting like a bull, screaming at me about desecrating the flag. I thought he as going to attack me! After I explained how I found it laying in the mud, he grabbed the flag with a "Hmmmph!!" and bolted, without another word.
That really got me thinking about flag worship and idolatry. That guy was ready to beat me, a fellow human being, over a piece of cloth. He valued dyed cotton over me, and that's just not right.
Yes, it's proper to respect the flag, but to come to violence over it? That's a problem.
@kenju, Maybe since it's not a federal holiday, that may be why. I really think if it were a slow news day, we would hear more about Flag Day. There's just so many things going on right now. I know I left off several other major news stories like that teen girl from California that tried to sail around the world and of course all eyes on Obama to see who's ass he's gonna kick (LOL). He said it not me! And to many news stories to mention them all!
@Cubby, Thanks for telling us about that flag incident you had. That would really piss me off! You try to do the right thing that should be appreciated and where does it get you? Surely that guy was the one in charge of the flag and maybe got in trouble for it not being flown.
That is a problem, when people go to such extremes! I wonder what the ritual is to burn one with dignity?
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