They may have been made in China, but when tragedy struck the World Trade Center on 9/11, United States flags were everywhere.
Just about everyone put a flag of some sort on his or her car that year; either a sticker image of one, or maybe several flapping in the wind. Students used red, white, and blue Solo cups to form the image of a flag in the fences of school grounds. People bought flagpoles for their homes and displayed their fresh flag until … when?
This Saturday, June 14, is Flag Day. And if you weren’t planning to celebrate, you can take comfort in knowing that folks in Waubeka, Wisconsin, never miss it.
Waubeka is the home of the National Flag Day Foundation, where Flag Day was first observed at Stony Hill School June 14, 1885. That’s where Bernard J. Cigrand, age 19 at the time, was teaching when he placed a 10-inch, 38-star United States flag in a bottle on his desk and asked his students to write about its significance.
Cigrand devoted years to encouraging others to recognize this day. At age 50, in 1916, Cigrand witnessed President Woodrow Wilson’s proclamation that called for a national observance of Flag Day. However, it was not until 1949 that President Harry S. Truman signed an act of Congress designating June 14 as National Flag Day.
The National Flag Day Foundation continues to partner with scout troops, 4-H clubs and other youth organizations to teach young people how to properly fold, display and respect the United States flag.
The city of Fairfield, Washington, has held a Flag Day celebration every year since 1910, and made an extra big affair of the day in 2010 with a centennial event. The only year is was not officially observed there was in 1918.
People in Quincy, Massachusetts, say they hold the record for the longest-running parade in honor of Flag Day. And in Troy, New York, the Flag Day event usually brings in about 50,000 people.
In Wobrun, Massachusetts, the town hosts a carnival and firework display.
What does Flag Day mean to you, and how will you celebrate it?
— Reach Staff Writer Karen Kissiah at 843-537-5261.