June 14th is Flag Day in the United States. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened on that day in 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The United States Army also celebrates the Army Birthday on this date; Congress adopted “the American continental army” after reaching a consensus position in the Committee of the Whole on June 14, 1775. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; in August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. Flag Day is not an official federal holiday.
On June 14th every year, Arick L Lore American Legion Post 274 holds a Flag Retirement ceremony to take care of the unserviceable flags of the community. This year was no exception. Residents of the community brought in their worn, tattered, soiled and unserviceable flags for the retirement ceremony.
The ceremony opened with the Posting of the Colors by Patuxent High School NJROTC. Commander Jay Bolles of Post 274 introduced the guest speaker Lt Col Rockie K Wilson of the 11th Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Andrews Maryland.
Lt Col Wilson told those in attendance that he was honored to come and speak about something that means so much to him, our American Flag, especially in the midst of so many heroes at the American Legion, since his grandfather and father were both proud members.
He said, “We are all merely a collection of our own experiences, I like to think that make us who we are; I thought long and hard when I wrote this about going back and looking at the history of Flag Day and all the times throughout history that our flag served as the symbol spurring our nation to greatness. Instead I decided to use some of my own personal experiences throughout my career; examples of what the flag meant to me; at times it brought me just what I needed at a time when I needed it. The way we feel about the stars and stripes are personal to each one of us and rather than trying to interpret what the flag meant to those throughout history as they built this nation from the ground up I thought I would take this opportunity to instead reflect on what the flag means to me and how it has shaped not only my military career but my life as a whole. After some introspection I came up with three words that best exemplified my feelings about the flag and how I’ve related to it over the years. The words are Pride, Remembrance and Transcendence; all words that truly connect for me when I try and put into words what the flag means to me.”
“To me Pride is the Swell in your chest that tickle in the back of your throat or that misty feeling in your eyes when you see the flag wave during the national anthem or hear the song I’m proud to be an American. The second word that best embodies our flag, to me, is Remembrance. Just thinking about standing there and looking at the flag brings out so many feelings in me, so many memories and so many opportunities to reflect on where I’ve been and why I was there. The final word brought to mind is Transcendence. The flag can be a source of inspiration bringing a belief that collectively, we can transcend our own individual limitations as a nation in order to accomplish something bigger than ourselves.”
In closing, Lt Col Wilson said, “the American Flag is really something pretty amazing if you think about it; it can bring a man to tears and then turn around and embolden the same man to accomplish feats he never thought he could. All of this for a single idea, for a single purpose, for a single flag….God bless America.”
The Ladies Auxiliary President read “I Am Your Flag” and the ceremony continued with the presentation of the flags for proper retirement by Boy Scout Troop 1684 Cameron Sudduth, Boy Scout Pack 427 Adam Sparks and Girl Scout Troop 2443 Avery Kury. They carried their flags to the 2nd Vice and 1st Vice Commanders for inspection and finally to the Commander and finally to the officers for proper disposal.
If you have never been to a Flag Retirement Ceremony, please mark your calendars now for June 14, 2016 and attend a very stirring ceremony.
Margit Miller / Calvert Beacon
Pride, Remembrance, Transcendence, — good words
good Pics
Awesome article
Good Flag day!