Flag Day is America’s Day

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By Roger Easter, Turnbow-Higgs American Legion Post #240 Historian

Flag Day is only one reason June 14th is special in America. It is also a day that we honor those who hold a special reverence for our national symbol, so much so, that these special Americans all pledged to die for that Flag if called upon. 

Fittingly, June 14th also happens to be the birthday of the United States Army. Most of the Turnbow-Higgs American Legion Post 240 membership are veterans of the U.S. Army. 

All veterans of the United States military, understand that the Flag of our country is not a mere piece of cloth but the embodiment of freedom, hope and opportunity. The meaning and principles are far older than the United States, as American Legion National Commander Alvin Owsley alluded to in 1923. “That piece of red, white and blue bunting means five thousand years of struggle upwards. It is the full-grown flower of ages of fighting for liberty. It is the century plant of human hope in bloom.” 

That hope is what allows us to make important life choices. We choose to be office professionals, construction workers, union members, schoolteachers, police officers, business owners, doctors, pastors, students or members of some other trade. Outcomes are not guaranteed but the freedom to try is quintessentially American. 

That freedom is what is symbolized by our American Flag. It is what veterans have fought for and what many have died for. Accordingly, our National Flag should be treated with the utmost respect. When a flag becomes worn & frayed it should be removed and honorably disposed of, preferably by burning. 

Your local Turnbow-Higgs American Legion Post 240 located at 801 East Washington, Stephenville, will conduct its annual proper flag disposable ceremony on Flag Day Friday, June 14, 2019. A Local Scout Troop will participate in the Flag burning ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. A reception with cookies & punch will be served by Auxiliary Unit 240 following ceremony. The public is invited.

Take your old flags to your local American Legion post (801 East Washington), or use the disposable flag box at Walmart. When delivering to Post 240 seal in a plastic garbage bag or other container and leave at the door entrance. We will be happy to retire your flags in their next disposal ceremony.

On Flag Day, we are honoring not just our Flag, but also what it symbolizes. We are honoring freedom. We are honoring the freedom to worship as we please, to speak as we please and to vote as we please. We are honoring the hardworking men and women who have made this the greatest and most successful country that the world has ever known.

FLAG DAY IS AMERICA’S DAY!


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