While it does have a place on the calendar, it is not a recognized Federal holiday. It is, indeed, often overlooked -- a day stuck between Memorial Day and Independence Day. It is known as Flag Day. Flag Day was set aside more than 50 years ago by President Harry Truman. He asked Congress to designate June 14th of each year as Flag Day to honor the Stars and Stripes. The best known initiative to create a Flag Day started some 60 years aho when a schoolteacher arranged for his students to celebrate the anniversary of the official adoption of the U.S. flag. More information on the formation of Flag Day can be found at the History Channel Web site, www.historychannel.com. Flag Day initially was known as "Flag Birthday" and quickly spread throughout cities on the east coast. Its observance was intended to honor the flag as a symbol of the nation and of things the U.S. stands for -- strength, unity and liberty. U.S. Army MSG (Ret) Rafael Hernandez says he thinks people are forgetting about what the flag stands for in this day and age. He stated that he thinks people need to be reminded from time to time of the importance of the flag. |
