Love his thoughtful writing and patriotism!!! Huan Vuong Flag Day 6/10/14 FLAG DAY – JUNE 14 Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the United States flag, which happened on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. Each Continental Congress was comprised of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies, which became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution. Our national flag contains 13 equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white, and a blue rectangle in the corner holding 50 small, white, five pointed stars. The stars represent the 50 states of the United States of America. The stripes represent the 13 British colonies that declared independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Commonly known as the American Flag, it is often referred to by several nick names including “Old Glory,” “Stars and Stripes,” and “The Star Spangled Banner.” What are we going to talk about today? FLAG DAY What date was United States Flag adopted? JUNE 14, 1777 Who comprised the Continental Congress? THE THIRTEEN COLONIES What significance did 13 equal, horizontal stripes have? COLONIES What significance did 50 small, white, five pointed stars have? STATES Provide a common nickname for the American Flag. THE STARS AND STRIPES Flag Day is not a national holiday, but President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day in 1916. In observance of Flag Day, the president issues a proclamation urging U.S. citizens to fly the American Flag for the duration of the week. The American flag is generally on display at all government buildings and you can often find private homes flying the flag year-round as well. Display and use of the American Flag is widespread on civic holidays like Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Presidents’ Day, Independence Day and Flag Day. Is Flag Day a national holiday? NO Which president issued the first Flag Day proclamation in 1916? WOODROW WILSON Name one civic holiday, other than Flag Day, where the American Flag is widely used. MEMORIAL DAY The United States Flag Code outlines guidelines for use, display and disposal of the American Flag. One little known fact, the American flag should never be dipped or bowed to a person or thing unless it is responding to a salute from a ship of a foreign nation. Well known etiquette includes not allowing the American flag to touch the ground or be flown at night unless it is illuminated. Further, if a flag becomes worn, it should be repaired, replaced or destroyed. On Flag Day, organizations like the American Legion conduct“flag retirement ceremonies” to destroy worn flags properly. The American Legion is an organization that provides community support for war Veterans and their families. What purpose does the United States Flag Code serve? TO INFORM HOW TO TREAT THE FLAG When is the only time you are allowed to dip or bow a flag toward a person or thing? SALUTE FOREIGN SHIPS Describe one well known flag etiquette tip. DO NOT LET THE FLAG TOUCH THE GROUND What happens at a “flag retirement ceremony?” FLAG IS DESTROYED Many aspects of the Flag Code are ignored. Even though the Flag Code is federal law, there is no penalty for a citizen or group who violates the code. It is widely agreed that to penalize someone for display of the American Flag on apparel or personal wears to be a violation of the First Amendment right to Freedom of Speech. Flag code prohibits use for advertising purposes and states that the flag cannot be “embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use.” Flag Code is __________law. FEDERAL What does Federal mean? NATIONAL Why would our government refrain from penalizing citizens who violate Flag Code? VIOLATES FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS Why would Flag Code seek to prohibit the use of the American Flag on disposable products? FLAG SHOULD NOT BE THROWN AWAY By presidential proclamation, acts of Congress or local custom, American Flags are displayed as several locations on a continuous basis. We can find flags on continuous display throughout the National Capital Area including Baltimore, Maryland at the Fort McHenry National Monument, Washington DC where fifty American flags are flown continuously at the Washington Monument, and Arlington, Virginia at the Marine Corps War Memorial, known commonly as the Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima monument. Name one location you can find the American Flag on continuous display. IWO JIMA Have you seen this monument? YES What does it look like? MARINES HOLDING UP THE FLAG CREATIVE WRITING: Reflect on this lesson. The American flag has evolved over the years – adding 5 point, white stars each time a state entered our union. Why do you think having a national flag is important to any country? Do you think the originators of federal Flag Code, intended to restrict patriotic wear of our flag? Where have you commonly observed the Stars and Stripes? What does the presence of an American Flag inspire in you? THE AMERICAN FLAG MAKES ME PROUD TO BE AMERICAN. THE FLAG IS A REMINDER OF ALL OUR COUNTRY WENT THROUGH TO BE FREE. I DON’T THINK OUR FLAG SHOULD BE WORN ON CLOTHING. YOU SHOULD HAVE RESPECT FOR THE FLAG. OUR HOMELAND IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. OUR FLAG HAS EVOLVED TO SHOW HOW OUR COUNTRY HAS GROWN ADDING STARS AS OUR STATES HAVE INCREASED. THE FLAG IS A CONSTANT REMINDER OF AMERICA AND WHAT IT REPRESENTS. FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY ARE THE VIRTUES OF AMERICA. I THINK OF THESE VIRTUES EVERY TIME I SEE THE FLAG. THE END. |
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