Today is the day the United States celebrates the flag that has a history that officially began 244 years ago.
On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”
After the addition of 35 more stars, and 139 years later, June 14 was designated as Flag Day by a proclamation issued in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson. A Congressional Act established on August 3, 1949, named June 14 as National Flag Day.
The flag of the United States of America gained 35 stars when West Virginia became a state on June 20, 1863. It took another 10 years for the “constellation” on the American flag to accumulate enough states to achieve the current total of 50 stars after Alaska and Hawaii gained statehood in 1959.
As one of the oldest symbols of our nation’s freedom, the American flag is to be treated with respect. This message is carried to 5th graders of all area grade schools by Commander Barbara Burdette of American Legion Greenbrier Post 26.
“No matter whom we are, we are all subject to following certain polite, etiquette rules determined by what situation we might be confronted with or in a program we might be attending,” Burdette notes. “So what possible etiquette could apply to our American flag? When we view our American flag we can envision many, many scenarios about our flag. Those visions may include our flag’s tumultuous beginning during the Revolutionary War to the different changes and arrangement of the stars upon the union blue.”
Burdette fleshes out the history of the American flag, “The origins of the U.S. Flag Code can be traced back to June 14, 1923. Although June 14, 1923, was the date on which the U.S. Flag Code was created, the U.S. Flag Code didn’t become a law until several decades later.
It wasn’t until June 22, 1942, when the guidelines were signed into law. On June 22, 1942, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Federal Flag Code, which led to Congressional enactment on December 22, 1942. Periodically, the Flag Code has been updated and amended.”
Burdette said she enjoys the enthusiasm of the youngsters when she teaches flag etiquette, “The American Legion educates our youth each year about the proper way and when to display our American flag. American Legion Greenbrier Post 26 visits and instructs all the 5th-grade elementary students within Greenbrier County about the proper flag etiquette. We add a quiz question or two during our instructions such as, ‘What is the number of the star for West Virginia?’ or ‘can you name all the states that made up the thirteen states for the original American flag?’ The student who can answer our simple but provocative question receives their own American flag.”
Each student receives a pamphlet re-emphasizing the classroom lesson.
“One of the highlights during this activity is when we have several of the classroom students help us with learning how to properly fold the flag,” Burdette said. “At the Flag Disposal Ceremony held each year during the 9/11 week at the Ronceverte Island Park outdoor amphitheater these words are recited – ‘A flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze or a beautiful banner of finest silk. Its intrinsic value may be trifling or great; but its real value is beyond price, for it is a precious symbol of all that we and our comrades have worked for and lived for, and died for — a free nation of free men and women, true to the faith of the past, devoted to the ideals and practices of justice, freedom and democracy.’”
Within the “hundreds and hundreds” of state and U.S. flags gathered each year for disposal, Burdette said they come in all sizes including ones “so big, you can wrap a house in them.”
During the annual Flag Disposal Ceremony, Post 26 adheres to the correct manner in which to dispose of state and American flags.
“Yes, there is even a proper way to dispose of our unserviceable, worn, wind tattered and/or faded American flag,” Burdette said.
According to Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), proper disposal entails folding the flag “in its customary manner;” the fire needs to “be fairly large and of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning of the flag;” ceremony participants “can come to attention, salute the flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and have a brief period of silent reflection;” and once “the flag is completely consumed, the fire should then be safely extinguished and the ashes buried.”
June 14 is not only Flag Day, but the historical birthday of the United States Army.
Read 13 facts about the American flag written for History.com by Jennie Cohen:
1. Bernard Cigrand, a small-town Wisconsin teacher, originated the idea for an annual flag day, to be celebrated across the country every June 14, in 1885. That year, he led his school in the first formal observance of the holiday. Cigrand, who later changed careers and practiced dentistry in Illinois, continued to promote his concept and advocate respect for the flag throughout his life.
2. It is widely believed that Betsy Ross, who assisted the Revolutionary War effort by repairing uniforms and sewing tents, made and helped design the first American flag. However, there is no historical evidence that she contributed to Old Glory’s creation. It was not until her grandson William Canby held an 1870 press conference to recount the story that the American public learned of her possible role.
3. The lyrics of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” America’s national anthem since 1931, are taken from a patriotic poem written by Francis Scott Key after he witnessed the Battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. His words were set to the tune of “To Anacreon in Heaven,” a popular British drinking song.
4. In the 1950s, when it seemed certain that Alaska would be admitted to the Union, designers began retooling the American flag to add a 49th star to the existing 48. Meanwhile, a 17-year-old Ohio student named Bob Heft borrowed his mother’s sewing machine, disassembled his family’s 48-star flag and stitched on 50 stars in a proportional pattern. He handed in his creation to his history teacher for a class project, explaining that he expected Hawaii would soon achieve statehood as well.
Heft also sent the flag to his congressman, Walter Moeller, who presented it to President Eisenhower after both new states joined the Union. Eisenhower selected Heft’s design, and on July 4, 1960, the president and the high school student stood together as the 50-star flag was raised for the first time. Heft’s teacher promptly changed his grade from a B- to an A.
5. Unlike setting an intact flag on fire, flying one upside-down is not always intended as an act of protest. According to the Flag Code, it can also be an official distress signal.
6. The Flag Code stipulates that the Stars and Stripes should not be used as apparel, bedding or drapery.
7. The practice of draping coffins in the American flag is not reserved for military veterans and government officials. On the contrary, any burial may incorporate this tradition.
8. Etiquette calls for American flags to be illuminated by sunlight or another light source while on display.
9. During the Vietnam War era, some demonstrators burned American flags as an act of protest. The Flag Protection Act of 1968 was enacted in response, making it illegal to burn or otherwise deface the Stars and Stripes. In two landmark decisions 20 years later, the Supreme Court ruled that the government couldn’t curb individuals’ First Amendment rights by prohibiting desecration of the U.S. flag. Respectful burning of damaged flags according to established protocol has always been acceptable.
10. When flags are taken down from their poles, care must be taken to keep them from touching the ground. In fact, the American flag should always be kept aloft, meaning that rugs and carpets featuring the Stars and Stripes are barred by the Flag Code.
11. When the flags of cities, states, localities or groups are flown on the same staff as the American flag, Old Glory should always be at the peak. When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they should be of equivalent size and flown from separate staffs of the same height.
12. The Flag Code strictly prohibits adding an insignia, drawing or other markings to the Stars and Stripes. Some American politicians have been known to defy this regulation by signing copies of the U.S. flag for their supporters.
13. Ever wondered how to correctly fold an American flag? First, enlist a partner and stand facing each other, each holding both corners of one of the rectangle’s shorter sides. Working together, lift the half of the flag that usually hangs on the bottom over the half that contains the blue field of stars. Next, fold the flag lengthwise a second time so that the stars are visible on the outside. Make a triangular fold at the striped end, bringing one corner up to meet the top edge. Continue to fold the flag in this manner until only a triangle of star-studded blue can be seen.
Burdette extends the invitation, “During our annual Flag Day observance, take time out to join American Legion members and families at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 14, to stop and stand before the American flag and repeat the Pledge of Allegiance.”
Unserviceable, worn, wind tattered and/or faded flags may be placed in the box at Ronceverte’s Clifford Armory Community Center designated as American Legion Flag Box to ensure it will be properly disposed of.
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