Flag Day is June 14 which lands on next Tuesday. It should be remembered that we should hang our national flag out in celebration of one of our nation’s beloved symbol. Surprisingly enough, I found out that the United States did not even have a national standardized flag until 1912. It was called the “Stars and Stripes” or “Old Glory” and no other flag in the world requires 64 pieces of fabric to make. Our current national flag has 13 red stripes and white alternation stripes representing the original 13 colonies which eventually became states. There are 50 white stars on a blue background representing all of the states in the Union in the present day.

The significance of the date which we celebrate Flag Day dates back to 1777 when the Continental Congress proposed that the United States have a national flag instead of the British Union Jack. There were few public ceremonies honoring the flag until 1877, when on, June 14, it was flown from every government building in honor of the centennial of the adoption of a national flag. The first official Flag Day was observed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1893. New York also proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day 1897. Other states were slow to follow. Some people thought that the day was too close to Memorial Day and Independence Day, but soon all states followed suite.

Inspired by these three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day, the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777, was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1916. While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson’s proclamation, it was not until Aug. 3, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14 of each year as National Flag Day and encouraged all Americans in the country to display the Stars and Stripes outside their homes and businesses.

We need to be reminded of what our national flag stands for in our country, so when I hear stories these past few years of documented complaints against flying the American flag right within our own borders at homes and in businesses, it becomes very irritating. Take for instance a Texas woman, Debbie McLucas who had hung a 3 by 5 foot flag in her own office at Kindred Hospital in Mansfield. One day returning to work she was told by her superior that she needed to take down the flag. The reason why? One of her colleagues, who had emigrated from Africa 14 years ago was offended to see this flag there and complained to upper management. They decided that if this flag offended one employee, it should be removed. Unbelievable. This flag was not in anyone’s way, although a little larger than most indoor flags, it was in her own office.

What better way to show our support to our military troupes and our devotion to our country’s ideals than to fly or display the American flag. There should never be a time when management tells their employees to take down their flag. Remember Flag Day and display your flag proudly!

Loxley resident Valerie J. Steimle is now the author of four books. Her latest, “Dogs, Blogs and Hobbits: Writings from a Widow’s Perspective” is available on Amazon.com. Contact her at valeriesteimle@yahoo.com, visit her website at www.stregthenyourhome.com or check out her blog at www.valeriesteimle.blogspot.com.