Clifton Forge Main Street, Inc., celebrated the 2024 Stars and Stripes Celebration on Friday, June 14th at the Masonic Amphitheatre. Bill Atherholt, Clifton Forge Main Street treasurer and VFW Post 1033 Quartermaster, welcomed everyone followed by a prayer by Clifton Forge Mayor, Jeff Irvine. Atherholt also introduced Shawn Wright, first female Commander of Post 1033. Alan Dale Craft sang America the Beautiful as he will be doing July 4th
Bill Atherholt gave a brief history on the origination of Flag Day in the New York State school system 1885. Inspired by three decades of state and local celebrations Flag Day was officially established by the proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1916. In August 1949 President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day. So, it is June 14, 2024, and we are here to observe National Flag Day in Clifton Forge, Virginia. Dr. Jack Backels, retired President of Dabney Lancaster Community College, is responsible for bringing Flag Day to Clifton Forge.
Darrell Hix, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America Troop 2 in Clifton Forge, with the assistance of the Boy Scouts and several A-1 Studio students from Covington under the direction of Amanda Burns, gave a presentation on some of our American flags. We have not listed them all here. A good on-line reference for flag history is www.ushistory.org.
Thirteen-Star U.S. Flag (flown 1777-1795)
Fifteen-Star U.S. Flag (flown 1795-1818). This flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star- Spangled Banner”, our national anthem.
Twenty-Star U.S. Flag (flown 1818-1819)
Thirty-Four Star U.S. Flag (flown 1861-1863
Forty-Eight Star U.S. Flag (flown 1912-1959). Flying 47 years, it lasted through two World Wars and was the longest serving flag until July 1959.
Fifty-Star U.S. Flag started flying August 21, 1959, by President Eisenhower and was adopted in July 1960. It is the longest-used version of the U.S. Flag and has been in use for over 63 years. VFW Post 4299 Commander Richard Erskine had the honor of presenting this flag.
The day would not have been complete without celebrating the United States Army birthday which was founded June 14, 1775. The honor of presenting the United States Army flag was given to Army veteran, Jenny Oeltjen owner of Livy’s Closet.
The ceremony concluded with some tips on flag etiquette.
Raising and lowering the flag on a pole – up with brisk motion and down with slow motion.
Flying the flag vertically – stars remain on left side
Honoring the flag in a parade – as it appears, stand and put hand on heart or salute if veteran
Disposing of the flag – The only way to dispose of a flag is to burn it The VFW has a special ceremony to dispose of retired flags. If you have a flag you would like to retire, please reach out to any member of