We had a customer come in last week and suggest we put an American Flag on front of the paper this week celebrating Flag Day.

Shamefully, I wasn’t as familiar with Flag Day as I am other important American dates, so I decided to do a little internet research. Here is what I found:

In the United States, Flag Day is observed each year on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened on that day in 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. 

President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day on May 30, 1916. On August 3, 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

 Flag Day is not an official federal holiday, however, it is at the President’s discretion to officially proclaim the observance. 

Flag Day falls within National Flag Week, a time when Americans reflect on the foundations of the nation’s freedom. 

The flag of the United States represents freedom and has been an enduring symbol of the country’s ideals since its early days. 

During both events, Americans also remember their loyalty to the nation, reaffirm their belief in liberty and justice, and observe the nation’s unity.

Many people in the United States honor this day by displaying the American flag at homes and public buildings. 

Other popular ways of observing this holiday include: flag-raising ceremonies; Flag Day services; school quizzes and essay competitions about the American flag; musical salutes; street parades; and awards for special recognition.

Growing up with a Brigadier General, I was taught how important patriotism is. How meaningful the flag and our country are.

When I read the statement “the flag is an enduring symbol of the country’s ideals since its early days”, I became sad. Are the country’s ideals from the early days even still present anymore?  Have those been thrown out the window like everything else for the sake of “new age” beliefs and the “next best thing”?

“During both events, Americans also remember their loyalty to the nation, reaffirm their belief in liberty and justice, and observe the nation’s unity.”

Unity? Our nation is supposed to be unified? I don’t feel that at all. It appears as though there are very few that are loyal to our great nation and believe in liberty and justice. That is nothing short of heartbreaking.

We seem to be in a pattern here. Changes happening under the radar that aren’t noticed until we get a knee jerk and it’s too late, all while becoming desensitized along the way.

In my best Earl Pitts voice, I say, “Wake up America!”