A Personal Reflection About Flag Day

Several years ago, I was working as a ride share driver in Austin. I would often pick people up from the airport. Due to the growing tech industries in Austin, many of my passengers were here on business from other countries. They would often comment about the weather or the terrain, or inquire about where to get the best Texas barbecue.

One surprising thing I heard several times, especially from passengers from Europe, was how intrigued they were when they saw US flags flying everywhere ~ in front of homes and businesses, outside government buildings, and even displayed on clothing. They would ask if it was some kind of special holiday or day of remembrance. “No,” I would answer. “We just love our flag here.”

They noted that they were not used to seeing such national pride from the citizens of any country. Sometimes their voice would drop as a whispered “Wow.” escaped their lips. It was as if they were wondering what it must be like to live in a country where such a unified expression of love and appreciation for the national flag was a normal part of our everyday life. It made my heart swell with gratitude that I am so blessed to call America my home.

Nestled in between Memorial Day and Independence Day is a little-recognized National observance that is often overlooked, but holds value nonetheless. It is June 14th – Flag Day. Here is a brief summary of our flag’s history:

June 4, 1777 – The Second Continental Congress passed the following resolution: "Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

1861 - one of the earliest community celebrations of the flag’s anniversary was held in Hartford, Connecticut.

1885 – a young schoolteacher in a one-room schoolhouse in Wisconsin had his students write an essay on what the Stars and Stripes meant to them in observance of what he called the flag’s birthday.

1916 – President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation establishing June 14 as Flag Day to be observed across the country.

1949 – President Harry S. Truman signed into law an Act of Congress designating June 14 as National Flag Day.

Flag Day is not a holiday in terms of government offices or banks closing. It is simply a call to each American to raise the flag, recognize what she stands for and be thankful that this banner under which we all stand, work, live and raise our families is still waving as a symbol of the liberties we all hold dear. She has flown proudly over our nation and its people for 250 years. And by the grace of God Almighty, she will still be waving over future generations 250 years from now.

Author: Rachael Wilkins

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