Flag Day

Photo credit: Noemy Lundquist-Olson*

Today is Flag Day.

Sadly, up until now, I haven’t put much thought into what that means and had no idea the history behind it. I might have learned about it in elementary school, but, let’s face it, that was a loooooong time ago.

I probably would have continued in my ignorant bliss until yesterday when my daughter asked me about Flag Day. Don’t you love how our children can challenge us, in a good way, to learn more? Well, I decided this would be a great lesson – for both of us! Plus, I have to keep some “street cred” with my elementary-age daughter who comes home with a new fact every day. I think she’s beginning to doubt the smarts of her mom.

Thank goodness for Google, where I was able to dig up this info about Flag Day:

“The Fourth of July was traditionally celebrated as America's birthday, but the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885. BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School, District 6, to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as 'Flag Birthday'. On June 14, 1889, George Balch, a kindergarten teacher in New York City, planned appropriate ceremonies for the children of his school, and his idea of observing Flag Day was later adopted by the State Board of Education of New York. In numerous magazines and newspaper articles and public addresses over the following years, Cigrand continued to enthusiastically advocate the observance of June 14 as 'Flag Birthday', or 'Flag Day'.

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."

Inspired by these three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day - the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 - was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson's proclamation, it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.” (http://www.usflag.org/flag.day.html)

There you have it.

But…

Did you know today is also the Army’s birthday? How appropriate; I can’t think of a better representation of “a symbol of yourself” than the fine men and women of our Army.

I’ve taken this tidbit from an Army-related email I was sent:

“The Continental ...Army was established 237 years ago on June 14, 1775, to defend fledgling colonies and secure independence from oppression. Since
that time, from Bunker Hill to Baghdad and from Cold Harbor to Kandahar,
American Soldiers have been the safeguard of the Nation's freedom and a
shield from oppression for friends and allies.

This 237th birthday commemorates Americas Army - Soldiers, Families and
Civilians - who are achieving a level of excellence that is truly Army
Strong both here and abroad. American Soldiers willingness to sacrifice to
build a better future for others and to preserve our way of life is without
a doubt, the Strength of our Nation.”

It’s interesting to think that the Army is actually older than our country.

For more info or to find local events, check out: http://www.army.mil/birthday/237/

I hope this encourages you to take a moment today to reflect on our American heritage and perhaps say a prayer for the people who fight to defend our country.

God Bless America. 

Note: The photo above is by my talented friend, Noemy. If you want to see more of her photography, look for her on Instagram, her username is Noemy69.