Our “Stars and Stripes”, the official symbol of the United States of America was authorized by the Continental Congress on Saturday of June 14, 1777
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing a national Flag Day on June 14, Americans celebrate the adoption of the Stars and Stripes on June 14 as Flag Day.
Prior to 1916, many localities and a few states had been celebrating the day for years. Congressional legislation designating that date as the national Flag Day was not signed into law until much later when, in 1949, it was signed by President Harry Truman.
“Why ain’t you got your flag out?” says Mr. Richmond, entering the gas station in which he spends much of his time these days. “You know today is flag day, don’t you?”
“I guess the boss forgot to buy a flag, George,” says Mr. Davis, the station attendant. “And even if we had one, we ain’t got no place to put it.”
Mr. Richmond: “That’s a fine state of affairs, that is. Here they are tryin’ to bring home to you people the fact that you’re livin’ in one of the few countries where you can draw a free breath and you don’t even know it. You’re supposed to have flags out all this week. Don’t you know that? This is flag day and this is flag week. Where’s your patriotism?”
Mr. Davis: “What the hell are you hollerin’ about, George? You’re always runnin’ the country down. They can’t do anything to suit you. You’re worryin’ about taxes and future generations and all like that. Where’s your patriotism?”
Mr. Richmond: “Well, that’s different. A man got a right to criticize. That’s free speech. Don’t mean I ain’t patriotic.””Richmond,” circa 1936-40.
American Life Histories: Manuscripts from the Federal Writers’ Project, 1936-1940
Retiring an Old Flag:
Many Scout units and BSA Councils hold regular ceremonies to retire US flags. The AirForce Wives Website contains a Ceremony of Final Tribute which can be used to retire one or more flags.
The United States Flag Code 36s 176(k) states:
“The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”In many American communities, one or more organizations render an important community service by collecting and overseeing the proper disposal of old, worn, tattered, frayed, and/or faded U.S. Flags.
