History of Flag Day, June 10, 2024 494 words

Flag Day was first celebrated in 1877. The design created by Betsy Ross, was adapted by congress as The country's flag. Over the years the number of stars have been modified to show the current number of states. The red and white stripes remain constant for the original 13 colonies. It was approved by the Continatal Congress in 1777 as the flag of the new country. In 1885, to celebrate the one hundred anniversary of the flag adaption ,it became an official holiday

My family had a large 4 ft. by six ft. flag that was first displayed in front ot the Northville Electric Shop, that my Grandfather Clifford and my Father owned together. When the flag was changed to reflect the addition of the new states of Hawaii and Alaska, my mother, kept and used the old flag. She reasoned that no one would notice or count the number of stars. The flag was used for years until the dark blue had faded to a purple.
The flag, like people is to be disposed of with honor. The best way for disposal is cremation. Many Veterans of Foreign War Posts will take old flags, and preform a short ceremony before cremation.
First the flag is folded into a triangle for the last time. The flag is placed in the center of a roaring fire. until the flag is reduced to ashes. As the flag burns, the Pledge of Allegiance is spoken. A brief of silence is observed as the fire dies to ashes. After the ceremony, the ashes are collected and buried.
On Flag Day, Citizens may display flags in their yards. Flag raising ceremonies may include reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, singing or silence as the flag is raised and lowered. Larger flags are folded by two people, held at waist level as the flag is folded lengthwise ,towards the center. Starting at the striped edge the flag it is folded in triangles from the stars towards the stripe edge. Another lengthwise fold and the smaller triangle is folded from the stripes to the stars. Larger flags maybe folded twice this way. When the flag reaches the end of the folding, the edges are tucked in the back of the last fold. The folded flag will be carried to it’s storage place.
In our home, the flag was rolled around the pole. The flag was placed in a cardboard tube until the next use. It was attached to the pole and couldn’t be folded. Each fold in the flag represents a sacrifice by fellow countrymen.
Other activities for this day may include parades and community gatherings. In our family, my Aunt Kathy Brune’s birthday is on June 14th. We wish her and the Flag a Happy Birthday.

The Pledge
I walk, slowly, holding the flag high.
People watch , hands over hearts.
Men remove their hats.
My arms ache, but I must not drop the Stars and stripes.
carolaspot June 10, 2024 copyrighted