Happy Flag Day

Flag Day, first observed in 1877, and then in 1916 President Wilson issued a proclamation asking for June 14 to be observed as the National Flag Day. But it wasn’t until August 3, 1949, that Congress approved the national observance, and President Harry Truman signed it into law as a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, its designers and makers.

Our flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation…..one nation, indivisible. Our flag has a proud and glorious history. It was at the lead of every battle fought by Americans. Many people have died protecting it. It is even speculated that it stands proudly on the surface of the moon.

No nations flag is more recognized than the flag of the United States of America.

I’m a drape-yourself-in-the-flag, fly-a-flag-from-the-front-porch, flag-waving, flag-saluting, flag-loving guy.

There. I said it.

I remember the day I was sworn into the Army. There was a U.S. Flag behind the Major that was swearing me in — I remember how focused I was on that flag.

I remember, a short time later, being at basic training at Ft. Knox, and hearing our National Anthem for the first time while wearing my country’s uniform. I was outside by myself near one of the Shopettes near our barracks. I quickly faced the nearest Flag, snapped to attention, and rendered the proper hand salute.

I remember the lump that formed in my throat as the combined symbolism of my Nation’s flag, anthem, and uniform weighed upon me.

It’s one of my cherished memories.

Franklin K. Lane, Secretary of the Interior, delivered a 1914 Flag Day address in which he repeated words he said the flag had spoken to him that morning:

I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself.

How true.

Burning our flag might be a protected right, and some of you might regard it as symbolic speech. Ok, but what it symbolizes is hatred for this country. Simple as that. Nothing more and nothing less.