…Flag Day, celebrated on June 14 every year, and is the celebration and recognition of the stars and strips. It took three Presidents to get Flag Day on the government radar. President Woodrow Wilson issued a formal proclamation for Flag Day in 1918 and President Calvin Coolidge did the same in 1927. But in 1949 Congress finally approved and President Harry Truman signed the national observance of Flag Day on June 14 into law. Truman said in his proclamation, “This beloved emblem, which flies above all our people of whatever creed or race, signalizes our respect for human rights and the protection such rights are afforded under our government.”

Many towns large and small hold parades on Flag Day and in my memory bank I have many parade memories. As a child they excited me, and I could hardly wait until I could march in one, which I did as a Brownie. Then parades became a fun summer activity to look forward to and take our sons to and then as they got older prepare them to march in as little leaguers or cub scouters. One parade especially stands out in my memory. I lived in a large township in north Jersey, in fact it was 12 miles long, not sure how wide, and it incorporated many schools with many children. When my son turned seven I took to sign up to join little league. I was approached by a woman who introduced herself and said she needed volunteers. Before I knew why she needed them I said I’ll certainly help. This was the first year the township had joined the National Little League and she was the one responsible for bringing this organization to our township. There had been a lot of opposition to the move as there were a lot of rules and regulations and there had to be financial support from the Township. She was not real popular for this and it wound up no one was willing to give her a hand. Oh, except me. She called me several days later absolutely ecstatic that 200 boys had signed up and we had to organize the uniforms and get them to the teams. I figured that’s a job but not that bad. (It was bad) and by the way we’re having a parade on opening day in four weeks. Oh, and we are in charge and organizing that too. (That was really bad) We worked really hard but it was all worth it as my heart really swelled when I saw 200 boys march down the main street of town, all outfitted in their different colored team uniforms all wearing smiles from ear to ear. I think my smile was the biggest. Flag Day and a parade, better than apple pie. Enjoy

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