To the Editor,

As we celebrate Flag Day, perhaps it might interest people to learn how Flag Day came to be.  The design of the United States of America flag was determined by a resolution of the Second Continental Congress on Saturday, June 14, 1777.  The resolution stated that the 13 stripes alternate red and white and that the 13 white stars should be placed on a field of blue.  The flag has been a part of two hundred and thirty-seven years of our country’s existence.  The 13 alternating red and white stripes are still a part of the flag but now there are 50 stars in the blue field to reflect the addition of states to our union.

In 1885, Bernard John Cigrand, a nineteen year old one-room school teacher, placed a 38-star flag in front of his students and asked them to write an essay on what the flag meant to them.  Afterwards, he dedicated himself to have all Americans recognize the real meaning and importance of the flag.

As a result of his effort, President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed Flag Day to be celebrated on the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777.  On August 3, 1949, President Harry S. Truman signed an Act of Congress establishing June 14th as Flag Day in the United States.

The members of the Major Reading Blount Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the members of Unit # 15 of the American Legion Auxiliary urge citizens to fly your flag this June the 14th as proud Americans and to thank veterans and the military who fought, died and continue to fight for the freedoms represented by our great flag.

 

Betsey Lee Hodges

Washington