Bill O’Boyle
Yesterday — June 14 — was Flag Day.
Flag Day was introduced by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. In 1937, Pennsylvania was the first state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday.
So yesterday I was thinking about Flag Days of my youth and my dad and how patriotic he was. A disabled World War II veteran, dad never wavered in his devotion to his country and to the American flag that he fought under to help preserve our freedom.
Dad would take me to every ceremony on every holiday to show respect to our flag and our country. He would make sure I would listen to all the speeches and on the way home he would ask me if I understood what patriotism was all about and why we should always respect our flag.
My friend Jim Walsh of Wilkes-Barre never missed an opportunity to tell anybody who would listen why the United States is the greatest nation in the world and that they should show their patriotism by displaying the flag.
During World War II, Walsh fought in the European Theater and the Battle of the Bulge. Walsh was 18 in May 1943, when he enlisted with two of his high school classmates. They left school early, receiving their diplomas when they returned from war.
“We were anxious to serve our country,” Walsh said. “In our minds, it was patriotic. We never realized what we were getting into — nobody did.”
Walsh said the flag is the symbol of America and it should be displayed not just on holidays, but every day.
I have an American flag hanging outside my front door every day. My dad would be happy about that.
The U.S. Flag Code, which was written on Flag Day in 1923, features rules related to usage of the flag.
• The flag should never be displayed upside down, except as a signal of dire distress.
• It should never touch anything beneath it, such as the floor.
• The flag should always be carried aloft and free, not flat and horizontal.
• It also should never be used as a receptacle for carrying or delivering anything.
There are other rules about how to display and honor the flag.
In terms of home decor, the flag should not be used as apparel, bedding or drapery.
It should not be used as covering for a ceiling, and it should never be used for advertising purposes.
Things like disposable napkins or paper plates are especially heinous; anything designed for temporary use should not be decorated with the flag.
Arguments have surrounded a rule about flags on attire. According to the code, the flag may be affixed to clothing for military personnel, firemen, policemen or other members of a patriotic organization.
However, it should not be affixed to costumes or athletic uniforms. Multiple teams, particularly in baseball, have had the tradition of including the flag in uniforms, despite the guidelines.
Edits to the flag, such as an insignia, design, or word, are not allowed. Multiple national movements, such as Blue Lives Matter, feature edited designs of the flag, which has led to criticism.
The flag should not be in a position where it can be easily damaged. And when retired due to its condition no longer being fit for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way such as burning.
Many of these rules are often disregarded or relaxed. But not to disrespect the flag. People want to wear the red, white and blue to honor America and its veterans and, especially, our fallen heroes.
To see the American flag everywhere on Flag Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and July 4th is a good thing.
Seeing the flag every day is even better.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle
"all day" - Google News
June 15, 2020 at 02:38PM
https://ift.tt/37tQY6E
Coping with Corona: Let the flag fly every day - Wilkes Barre Times-Leader
"all day" - Google News
https://ift.tt/35pEz2D
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Coping with Corona: Let the flag fly every day - Wilkes Barre Times-Leader"
Post a Comment