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Flag Day June 14th

Flag Day is observed on June 14th of every year.

"June 14, 1777 -- Continental Congress adopts the following: Resolved: that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation. (stars represent Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island)"  Source: www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagfact.html

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The United States Flag Code, which was adopted in 1923, describes the following rules for proper flag protocol:

• Always display the flag with the field of blue in the upper left-hand corner.  To display it upside down is considered a distress signal.

• It should be carried aloft and free, never flat or horizontally.

• The flag should always be kept clean and safe; never let it become torn, soiled or damaged.

• The flag should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

• Always treat the flag with respect.  Never embroider it on household items or pieces of clothing.

People who are unable to dispose of the flag in the prescribed manner should contact their nearest American Legion or VFW post.  Most of them have an annual ceremony in which old and worn flags are properly destroyed - usually held on Flag Day, June 14th of every year.

National Flag Foundation
Flag Plaza
1275 Bedford Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA  15219-3630
412-261-1776
www.americanflags.org
Providing U.S. Flag etiquette and history information to all Americans.

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I Am The Flag
The real name of this poem is "by Howard Schnauber
© 1994 the author [Mr. Schnauber has given permission to the public to use this poem for program or publishing purposes. Please credit the Fort Collins Public Library Local History Archive, Oral History Interview of Mr. Howard Schnauber, the author.]  See Web site:
http://library.ci.fort-collins.co.us/local_history/topics/WWII/hist3b15.htm

(Thank you Mark B. for letting us know the real title and who the author is of this wonderful poem!)

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My Name is Old Glory
by Howard Schnauber

I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over great institutes of learning.
I stand guard with the greatest military power in the world.
Look up! And see me!
I stand for peace - honor - truth and justice.
I stand for freedom
I am confident - I am arrogant
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners
My head is a little higher
My colors a little truer.
I bow to no one.
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped - I am saluted - I am respected
I am revered - I am loved, and I am feared.
I have fought every battle of every war for more than 200 years:
Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomatox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France,
the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy,
the deserts of Africa, the cane fields of the Philippines, the rice paddies andjungles of Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Guadalcanal
New Britain, Peleliu, and many more islands.
And a score of places long forgotten by all but those who were with me.
I was there.
I led my soldiers - I followed them.
I watched over them.
They loved me.
I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima.
I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me,
and I was proud.
I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of
countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt, for I am invincible.
I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of
my country, and when it is by those
with whom I have served in battle - it hurts.
But I shall overcome - for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stand watch over the
uncharted new frontiers of space
from my vantage point on the moon.
I have been a silent witness to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hour comes when I am torn into strips to
be used for bandages for my wounded comrades on the field of battle,
When I fly at half mast to honor my soldiers,
And when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving
mother at the graveside of her fallen son.
I am proud.
My name is Old Glory.
Dear God - Long may I wave.

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You're a Grand Old Flag
By George M. Cohan

You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

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The Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by Francis Bellamy.

June 26, 2002 -- A federal appeals court declared that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools is unconstitutional because of the words "under God" inserted by Congress in 1954. This ruling was reconfirmed in February 2003.  Source:  www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagfact.html

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Star Spangled Banner
by Francis Scott Key

O! say can you see by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the Rockets' red glare, the Bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our Flag was still there; 

O! say does that star-spangled Banner yet wave,
O'er the Land of the free, and the home of the brave? 

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream, 

Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. 

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country, shall leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave,
From the terror of fight or the gloom of the grave, 

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O'er the Land of the Free, and the home of the Brave. 

O! thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their loved home, and the war's desolation,
blest with victory and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land,
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto - "In God is our Trust;" 

And the star-spangled Banner in triumph shall wave,
O'er the Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave.

For more patriotic song lyrics, see ButlerWebs separate page
Patriotic Song Lyrics

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Why the American Flag is Folded 13 Times

Have you ever noticed on TV or at military funerals that the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the American flag 13 times? I've known how the 21 gun salute was determined (adding the individual digits of 1776), but only recently learned why the flag was folded 13 times when it is lowered or when it is folded and handed to the widow at the burial of a veteran. Here it is:

1. The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

2. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.

3. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.

4. The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.

5. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."

6. The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States Of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

7. The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

8. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.

9. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.

10. The tenth fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

11. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

12. The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.

13. When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our nation's motto, "In God We Trust".

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today. There are some traditions and ways of doing things which have deep meaning. You will see many flags folded in the coming weeks, and now you will know why.

The Chaplain

Submitted by FrogLady - 1998

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United States Flag Code
The Rules of Respect and Display of The American Flag
and
The Pledge of Allegiance - A Short History

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I Am Your Flag
Poem written by Marine Master Sergeant Percy Webb

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Evolution of the United States Flag
www.usflag.org/flag.evolution.html

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NAVA
North American Vexillological Association
www.nava.org

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Picture gallery of the American flag at different times in history.
www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagpics.html

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Betsy Ross Home Page
www.ushistory.org/betsy/index.html

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North American Vexillologist
www.flags.av.org

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Evolution of the United States Flag
www.usflag.org/flag.evolution.html

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FlagServices.com
Lots of information about all types of flags including flag etiquette.

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DeskFlag

    DeskFlag places an animated United States flag on your screen. The flag waves in the lower-right corner as you use your computer. DeskFlag was created after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and is dedicated to the memory of the victims. We hope that in some small way, using this program helps people demonstrate their condemnation of this senseless act.
    DeskFlag should work with any Windows computer running Windows 95 or later.  Click here to go to the DeskFlag Web site to get your free download from Tiger Technologies.  DeskFlag is a trademark of Tiger Technologies. The program may be freely distributed as long as it is not modified.

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Quick Links to Patriotic Pages from ButlerWebs:
Patriotic Song Lyrics      Patriotic Recipes
Flag Day - Pledge of Allegiance & More
Independence Day (4th of July)    Memorial Day    Veteran's Day
The Declaration of Independence
Military - Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marines, & More
America and the 50 United States
September 11, 2001 - America's Tragedy
Military Humor - Page 1 and Military Humor - Page 2

Quick Links to the Holiday Pages from ButlerWebs:
Holidays - Home Page & Index
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This page was last edited 03/19/08.