Page 10 - JUNE2023

Page 10
Community
By donna rhodes
Flag Day is an official Na- tional Holiday, observed on June 14th of each year, celebrating the history and symbolism of the American flag on the day in 1777 when, amid the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress officially adopted the “Stars and Stripes” as the national flag.
Before that date, several flags were flown throughout the early colonies in honor of the United States. Among them were flags with rattlesnakes, pine trees, ea- gles, and slogans such as “Don’t Tread on Me” and “Liberty or Death.”
In 1777, however, Congress voted on June 14th for a new res- olution that deemed only one flag as the nation’s official flag. It was then written that the flag should bear “thirteen stripes, alternate red, white and blue, with a union of thirteen stars.” The stripes rep- resented the first 13 states, while the stars on the flag were ar- ranged in a circle to represent that they were all equal. However, the official announcement of this res- olution did not occur until Sept. 3rd of that year.
In 1818 Congress amended its resolution to state it would re- tain the flag’s original 13 stripes while allowing for a new star to be added in reflection of each
NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM
Refusing to Forget Flag Day
June 2023
Shylah and Domanick Thomas of Bristol dropped worn-out, tri-folded American flags in a special drop-box outside the Lee Knapp American Legion Post 96 in Danbury last week, where they can be properly disposed of on the national June 14th Flag Day observation.
for proper disposal.
While those who have Amer-
ican flags that have been retired can contact local veterans orga- nizations to arrange for drop-offs, the Lee Knapp American Legion Post 96 in Danbury has made that task even easier. A box outside their building beside the Danbury Fire Dept. on North Rd. is an easy way to ensure a flag is prop- erly handled.
On May 15, Cory Nedeau and his fiancée Jaimie Howard of Bristol brought her children, Shylah and Domanick, to Post 96 in Danbury to drop off older flags they found. Shylah, age 14, and Domanick, age 9, were pleased to be doing the right thing for the worn-out flags they gathered.
“I think the flag should be honored,” Domanick said as he prepared to drop one in the flag drop-off box outside Post 96.
Shylah, a middle school stu- dent, said she was proud to know the old flags they found will be re- spected and retired in the proper manner and was glad the Lee Knapp American Legion offered that opportunity.
Their mom was proud, too. She said many of her family members have served in the mil- itary, and she was pleased when her fiancé asked them to drop off the flags ahead of Flag Day. Be-
fore doing so, they held conversa- tions about what the flag stands for and how their family mem- bers and thousands of others have fought to defend freedom.
“Education is the key. They love being involved in things like this,” she said.
Nedeau, whose father also served in the Army, was proud that Shylah and Domanick were eager to dispose of the flags they found in their home properly.
“I think it’s important for younger generations to know what the flag is and what it stands for,” he said. “It’s a symbol for us and the troops that have fought for freedom and should be re- spected.”
Young Domanick got the mes- sage and agreed with what they said. “I think the flag should be honored,” he said.
Those who prefer to hold their own flag-burning ceremonies should be aware of a few tips on how to do so properly.
The flag should be presented in a traditional triangular fold. It should then be placed (in a safe and proper setting) on top of a medium fire that is capable of fully incinerating the flag. During that process, the burning flag should be observed with respect as those present recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Photo by Donna Rhodes
new state that joined the union from that day forward. Today that number is 50.
While there’s no official record for the meaning of the colors of the flag, in 1782, the colors of the Great Seal of the United States were proclaimed to have these meanings, believed to represent the flag as well: white is for purity and innocence; red is for valor and hardiness; blue is for vigi- lance, perseverance, and justice.
Flag etiquette states that in order to show respect for the national flag, it should be flown above all other flags and retired
each evening if not properly illu- minated.
As flags fly daily all across the nation, they become tattered and faded over time but should never be tossed in the trash when their job is done. Instead, worn-out flags can be brought to organiza- tions such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Af- fairs (VFW) groups, which collect retired flags and dispose of them properly through a time-honored tradition in accordance with the United States Flag Code. The Home Depot in Tilton and other locations also accepts retired flags
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