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- What Does Flag Day Mean To Me?
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On Saturday June 14, 2008 we will officially observe flag day.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.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day. Then in August of 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress.
Why does Flag Day mean a lot to me? My father fought in WWII as an Army Air Force pilot under that flag in the European Theater. My Uncle did the same as a Marine in the Pacific Theater. I have many other relatives who stepped forward to put on a uniform of this country and serve under that flag. I well remember a young man who lived near us in Ann Arbor who joined the Navy after Pearl Harbor. He promised to bring me a Japanese flag when he came back. He never came back. I knew a man who landed on Normandy on that fateful day 6 June 44. He was a real American and decorated hero. His picture on the beach at Normandy is a well known picture.
No doubt those of you reading this article have similar relatives or memories. It isn’t just those memories that are stirred though. No, I also think of our Founding Fathers and their wisdom, of our Declaration of Independence, and of our Constitution that provides and protects so many freedoms.
I have visited those final resting places at Normandy in France in Hawaii at the Punch Bowl, and at Arlington in Washington D.C. Like many of you, I watched parades on flag day as a young child. There are very few towns and cities that do that anymore. It is not popular nor politically correct. When an American travels internationally - and comes home to see an American flag flying it can give you Goosebumps - at least for me it does.
The flag is a significant symbol of this country and what we stand for. Liberty, freedom and a way of life that insures that if you work hard and are honest, you can succeed. Most of all for me, flag day reminds me of my family and friends who stepped forward and were willing to give all they had to protect me and all of us.
Fly your flag on June 14 with pride and remember all who have served under that banner with pride.
Dick Freeman
2 Responses to “What Does Flag Day Mean To Me?”
That was excellent Dick Freeman - I always feel proud of my flag - I lived in Canada for about a dozen years and did not feel quite right being an American in Canada, I am proud to be home and always get those goose bumps when I see it wave and I do feel that it represents those who have served us and continue to do so today.
I have a flag that was brought home from Iraq by a friend serving there. It was flown over his base there. It is one of my prize posessions. There is something special about a flag that was used by the men and women who bravely serve this country in the military. It represents courage, honor, sacrifice and integrity to me.