CLIFTON FORGE, Va. (VR) – There will be a Flag Day Ceremony on Wednesday, June 14, from 6-6:30 p.m. at the Historic Masonic Amphitheater with a flag presentation by local Boy Scout Troop No. 2 and VFW Post 4299. In addition to the flag presentation, there will be a festive ceremony including music and a birthday cake to honor this great nation. Please, come out and support this celebration.
America’s Flag Day marks the Second Continental Congress’ adoption of the first U.S. national Flag Day in 1777. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing June 14 as a national flag day. The first flag featured the same 13 red and white stripes that are seen today. The number and arrangement of the stars have changed as the number of states has increased over the centuries. On August 21, 1959, President Dwight Eisenhower ordered the new 50-star flag when Hawaii was added. It was adopted in July 1960 and has remained the same for over 62 years, making it the longest-used version.
Continental Congressman Francis Hopkinson designed a United States flag and a flag for the U.S. Navy; however, Hopkinson’s naval flag became the preferred national flag, and the Continental Marine Committee sponsored the U.S. Flag Resolution on June 14, 1777. This was the same day the United States Army celebrates its birthday which was founded in 1775.
Flag Day is a time when America remembers the foundation of this nation’s freedom. The American flag represents freedom and stands as a symbol of the country’s ideals. Fly them high and proud on Flag Day and every day as a show of loyalty to the flag and this nation for all it stands for.
Flag Day is not a national holiday but is important to all Americans as a reminder of why American troops go to war with some paying the ultimate price. Our nation takes this opportunity to celebrate those soldiers who “gave all” for our freedom to fly this flag.
Francis Scott Key wrote a poem on September 14, 1814, which was later set to music in 1931 and becomes America’s national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The flag goes by many names including “Old Glory,” “the Stars and Stripes” and the “Star Spangled Banner.” It doesn’t matter what it is called, it matters what it represents in our country – freedom.
There are now six U.S. flags on the moon. The first was placed there by Neil Armstrong in 1969.
