Flag Day in the USA

Today is Flag Day in the USA.  Because it is not one of our Federal holidays (which means I'll still get bills and junk mail thanks to the post office), it is one we often overlook.  Why is that, you ask.  I'm going to postulate some theories.  Please be aware, I am only talking about and TO those of us who live in the United States.

First, it comes about half way between Memorial Day and the 4th of July.  People often display their flags between those two events anyway, so why call attention to it?

Second, since the first flag day was apparently observed in a classroom, and most schools in the states are now on leave for the summer, who will be there to shape those inquisitive minds?  Who will point out this is a special day and why it's important?  After taking care of two tweens and a teen for a little over a week by myself, I have serious doubts, unless you home school your children, you will take time to explain what Flag Day is all about and what it stands for.

Third, I believe most parents (and even the majority of the American public) know very little about this day.  I'm fairly certain I never learned about it in school, whether it was K-12, undergrad, or my two grad schools.  And I suspect most parents are busy pouring over maps (or squinting at e-maps) of various off-the-highway motels where they will stay each night until they reach Disneyland, a.k.a. the "happiest place on earth," rather than learning about this not-quite-a-holiday holiday!

Fourth, we already have 11 official and several three-day holidays as decided by the 1968 Uniform Holiday Act.  We simply can't party all the time, even though car dealers, big box stores of all kinds, and shoe companies seem to pull out all the stops in response to any of those uniform holidays.

Fifth, Flag Day has little to no support.  Look at all the groups that supported Labor Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  Where were they when it came to garnering support for Flag Day?  Flag Day not only has no support, it gets no respect, and there is no one (or group) to champion its cause.

Sixth, some people will point out that Flag Day is EVERY day.  To some extent, I have seen more flags flying this year, than in previous years.  Perhaps it's the dissatisfaction of, or satisfaction with, our government, or perhaps it's just patriotism in a time when it is truly needed.

Seventh, I admit I didn't come up with this theory.  I can only claim credit for the repartee associated with the above six.  This theory was pointed out in a book by Marc Leepson, author of the 2005 book “Flag: An American Biography.” According to Leepson:

The US flag does not represent federal Washington. It does not represent the power of the state. It represents the assembly of citizens into a government of them, by them, and for them. The citizens of no other nation on earth fly their flags everywhere they live and go.

Leepson further adds:

By and large it has been individual American businessmen, teachers, journalists, politicians and private organizations – primary but not exclusively veterans’ groups and patriotic organizations – that have developed and pushed for many of the important changes in the evolution of the flag’s cultural importance.

Note there is nothing in that statement about the actual day.  Too bad his statement didn't help poor unloved Flag Day.

So, what IS Flag Day, you ask.  Flag Day commemorates that day in 1777 when the United States approved the design of its first national flag.  Simple, isn't it?  It doesn't get much easier than that, parents!

According to Flag Day's web site:

Each year the U.S. president delivers an address that proclaims the week of June 14 as National Flag Week, and all Americans are encouraged to fly U.S. flags during that week.

I'm still waiting for that address, Mr. Trump.  Perhaps you tweeted it instead!

Whether you live in the USA or across the world, whether you are a reader, a follower, or just a casual visitor, in the true spirit of this event, I want to thank you for joining me today in celebration of this not-a-holiday holiday.