SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2015

Happy Flag Day On Sunday, Everybody!

Flag Day was first observed in 1877 on the 100th anniversary of the Continental Congress’ adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States. In that year, Congress asked that all public buildings fly the flag on June 14. The idea quickly caught on and many people wanted to participate in waving the flag. One early supporter was B. J. Cigrand, a Wisconsin schoolteacher who wanted June 14 to be known as “Flag Birthday.”

For our cherished occasion, Our Quote for Today Committee has chosen Adrian Cronauer’s: “Our flag is not just one of many political points of view. Rather, the flag is a symbol of our national unity.”

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Flag Day as a national celebration. However, the holiday was not officially recognized until 1949 when President Harry Truman signed the National Flag Day Bill.

The Blower says it’s time to dig out your American flag and fly it high this weekend. Children in school today if they were getting an education year round could sing “God Bless the USA,” unless your Obama Supporting School Principal says that would be “too patriotic.”

And maybe if you’re at a ball game, you should even put down your hot dog, take off your hat, and actually sing “God Bless America” during the seventh inning stretch.

And maybe at all public meetings, we could all join in and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. In case you’ve forgotten, the current words, adapted over the years from the original written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, are: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” 

One of our long-time readers sent us this timely “Delta Airlines Honor Guard Video,” most probably inspired by that “Taking Chance” Movie, a 2009 HBO historical drama film based upon the experiences of Marine Lt. Colonel Michael Strobl (Kevin Bacon), who escorted the body of a fallen Marine, PFC Chance Phelps (posthumously promoted to Lance Corporal), back to his hometown from the Iraq War. If there was ever a movie guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes on Memorial Day, this one ought to do it. You can watch the trailer here.  

 I Am Your Flag

I have been kicked, trampled, burned, and shot full of holes. I have fought battles, but I prefer the untroubled air of a world at peace.

 I am your Flag. I represent the freedom of humanity, and I shall fly high, thundering in silence for the whole world to hear. My gentle rustling in the breeze sounds out the warning to all who would bury me forever, that below stands a population dedicated to liberty.

For those who have perished for my right to freedom of flight, for those who will die, and indeed for those who will live, I stand as a symbol of freedom-loving people.

I have been carried into battle in faraway lands, always for the cause of freedom. I am blood-stained, torn, and many times wearied and saddened by the thousands who have paid the supreme sacrifice.

Do not let it all be for nothing. Tell me the brave have died for a worthwhile cause. Be proud of what I represent, and display me for all to see.

 Whether you call me “Old Glory,” Stars and Stripes,” or “Star Spangled Banner,” I shall fly forever as a symbol of your freedom, as I did for your ancestors, and I shall for your heirs.

~By James M. Fillmore

 Flag Day Traffic Advisory

         Sunday’s Largest Flag Day Parade in the area will begin at Anderson Trustee Andy Pappas’ Cleaner Concepts at 7857 PFC James Miller IV Memorial Highway at 11:00 AM, and proceed west to the Anderson Towne Center, James Miller IV Memorial Highway. All Peaceful, Caucasian, God-fearing Andersonians watching the parade are requested to stay behind the “white line.” Many units participating in the parade will be using several lanes.  A community celebration will be held at the Anderson Towne Center immediately following the parade around 12:30. Area residents are urged to avoid massive traffic jams by using on the PFC James Miller IV Memorial Highway by using Clough Pike beginning Saturday afternoon. Shown below is a small portion of last year’s 452-unit five-mile long parade.

Flag Etiquette Hot Line

e-mail your rules and regulations today.

Some patriotic items in today’s Blower were sent in by our equally patriotic subscribers.

 Whistleblower Video of the Day

“Berlin Wall” Speech – President Reagan’s Address at the Brandenburg Gate (June 12, 1987)

Note: We guarantee iPhone subscribers who don’t go home and see links and pictures on their computers are not going to appreciate all of this good stuff today.

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