Honoring the Flag

Although Flag Day has passed...great information on our "Stars and Stripes," in case you are looking to add to your 4th of July program!~

Honoring the Flag
Symbol of America

Symbols are powerful in their ability to transmit complex information with a simple image. For Americans, our flag is such an icon. Flying overhead, it is a reminder of all the sacrifices and hard work that have gone into creating and defending this country and its ideals. While we may be divided politically, the Stars and Stripes fluttering above unifies us into One Nation…the United States of America. Every June 14th, we take time out of our lives to pay our respects to the red, white and blue symbol of America on National Flag Day.

The holiday’s earliest roots are lost to history. Accounts differ as to whether it was Wisconsin schoolteacher BJ Cigrand or New York teacher George Balch who first outfitted children with miniature flags and gathered them to sing patriotic songs and anthems. June 14th was chosen as it was on that date in 1777 that our Founding Fathers signed the Flag Act, which recognized Betsy Ross’ creation as the emblem of our new nation.

June 14th flag celebrations quickly grew in popularity and spread across the country as unofficial events participated in by children and adults alike. On May 30, 1916, Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation establishing an observance of June 14 as Flag Day and it was Harry Truman’s signature on an Act of Congress, on August 3, 1949 that officially created National Flag Day.

Since then, many organizations, especially veterans groups, continue to hold National Flag Day in high regard and use the day to remember the symbolism of the flag and the sacrifices that have been made for what it represents. Many of these groups also use the day to promote flag awareness, including discarding or retiring flags that are worn and tattered.

While flag burning as a means of political protest is a contentious issue in America, it remains the proper disposal method for an old flag. The Flag Code states, “When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.” The veterans hold the flag with deep regard. This occasion is significant to them and it shows in the ceremony.