Flag Day: A Timely Observance

 

Flag Day is an annual federal holiday, established by Congress. All presidents issue an annual proclamation. It just happens that this year members of our cultural, corporate, and ruling elites no longer affirm this symbol’s positive or unifying meaning. Yet, a review of President Obama’s 2012 proclamation is remarkably similar in tone and substance to President Trump’s 2020 proclamation. This has long represented a nonpartisan consensus, reflected in Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s flag protest assessment: “dumb and disrespectful.”

Consider two iterations, first from President Trump and then from President Obama (emphasis added to highlight common language and themes).

Proclamation on Flag Day and National Flag Week, 2020
Issued on: June 12, 2020

On Flag Day and throughout National Flag Week, we pay tribute to the American flag, the most recognizable symbol of the principles for which our Republic stands. For more than 200 years, the Stars and Stripes has represented liberty, justice, and the rule of law. Recently, as our Nation has come together to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, our flag has been a reminder of the courage, tenacity, and loyalty that define the indomitable American spirit.

Our great flag causes us to reflect humbly on the immeasurable price that has been paid to keep it “so gallantly streaming.” Throughout our Nation’s history, proud patriots have nobly answered the call of duty when our country needed them most. The Star Spangled Banner serves as an everlasting remembrance of the sacrifices heroes of every generation have made in conflicts from the Revolutionary War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our flag ensures that we never forget the incredible sacrifices our men and women in uniform have made to defend our liberty and way of life.

This year, Old Glory has waved over millions of brave Americans fighting the invisible enemy, often at risk to their personal health and wellbeing. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, healthcare professionals have treated and cared for those sickened by the virus, and countless American patriots have provided critical goods and services to their fellow citizens in these uncertain times. These dedicated individuals have risen to the challenge, meeting the virus on the frontlines with the same conviction and unwavering determination that has empowered our Nation to overcome previous trials. Just as we prevailed in those struggles, we will emerge victorious against this new enemy and again raise our flag in triumph.

The American flag represents the unity of our country and its people. No matter what may divide us, Old Glory should be revered and cherished, as a symbol of all that makes America the greatest country in the world. As we honor our beautiful flag on this day and throughout this week, let us vow never to forget the tremendous sacrifices made by patriots from generation to generation to ensure that the red, white, and blue continues to fly high and free. Today, and every day, I am proud to join my fellow Americans in standing tall and saluting our great American flag.

To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, by joint resolution approved August 3, 1949, as amended (63 Stat. 492), designated June 14 of each year as “Flag Day” and requested that the President issue an annual proclamation calling for its observance and for the display of the flag of the United States on all Federal Government buildings. The Congress requested, by joint resolution approved June 9, 1966, as amended (80 Stat. 194), that the President issue annually a proclamation designating the week in which June 14 occurs as “National Flag Week” and calling on all citizens of the United States to display the flag during that week.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2020, as Flag Day, and the week starting June 14, 2020, as National Flag Week. I direct the appropriate officials to display the flag on all Federal Government buildings during this week, and I urge all Americans to observe Flag Day and National Flag Week by displaying the flag. I encourage the people of the United States to observe with pride and all due ceremony those days from Flag Day through Independence Day, set aside by the Congress (89 Stat. 211), as a time to honor America, to celebrate our heritage in public gatherings and activities, and to publicly recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.

DONALD J. TRUMP

Compare this with President Obama in 2012, at the same relative point in his presidency. Both presidents invoke history and unity in positive terms. This points to a long nonpartisan consensus. People of good will could easily agree to both. But for the dates and details making them relevant to the year, either president could have signed either proclamation without making news. That sort of governing and social consensus is important to the endurance of our republic.

Presidential Proclamation–Flag Day and National Flag Week, 2012

FLAG DAY AND NATIONAL FLAG WEEK, 2012

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Ninety-six years ago, our Nation first came together to celebrate Flag Day an occasion when President Woodrow Wilson asked us to “stand with united hearts for an America which no man can corrupt, no influence draw away from its ideals, no force divide against itself.” This week, we mark nearly one century since that historic proclamation, and more than two centuries since the Second Continental Congress brought 13 United States under a single standard.

For over 200 years, our flag has proudly represented our Nation and our ideals at home and abroad. It has billowed above monuments and memorials, flown beside the halls of government, stood watch over our oldest institutions, and graced our homes and storefronts. Generations of service members have raised our country’s colors over military bases and at sea, and generations of Americans have lowered them to mourn those we have lost. Though our flag has changed to reflect the growth of our Republic, it will forever remain an emblem of the ideals that inspired our great Nation: liberty, democracy, and the enduring freedom to make of our lives what we will.

As we reflect on our heritage, let us remember that our destiny is stitched together like those 50 stars and 13 stripes. In red, white, and blue, we see the spirit of a Nation, the resilience of our Union, and the promise of a future forged in common purpose and dedication to the principles that have always kept America strong.

To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, by joint resolution approved August 3, 1949, as amended (63 Stat. 492), designated June 14 of each year as “Flag Day” and requested that the President issue an annual proclamation calling for its observance and for the display of the flag of the United States on all Federal Government buildings. The Congress also requested, by joint resolution approved June 9, 1966, as amended (80 Stat. 194), that the President annually issue a proclamation designating the week in which June 14 occurs as “National Flag Week” and call upon citizens of the United States to display the flag during that week.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2012, as Flag Day and the week beginning June 10, 2012, as National Flag Week. I direct the appropriate officials to display the flag on all Federal Government buildings during that week, and I urge all Americans to observe Flag Day and National Flag Week by displaying the flag. I also call upon the people of the United States to observe with pride and all due ceremony those days from Flag Day through Independence Day, also set aside by the Congress (89 Stat. 211), as a time to honor America, to celebrate our heritage in public gatherings and activities, and to publicly recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

This weekend I will fly our nation’s colors in honor of the past and hope for the future.

Published in General
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  1. Sweezle Inactive
    Sweezle
    @Sweezle

    “This weekend I will fly our nation’s colors in honor of the past and hope for the future”.

    Yes. Fly our flag and hope for our future. 

    • #1
  2. Al French of Damascus Moderator
    Al French of Damascus
    @AlFrench

    Holiday colors, to boot!

    • #2
  3. 9thDistrictNeighbor Member
    9thDistrictNeighbor
    @9thDistrictNeighbor

    My parents were married on Flag Day in 1952.  They married at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington.  Mom said that a certain Senator wanted to be married on that day, but the pastor didn’t like him and said the day wasn’t available.  Senator McCarthy married the following year.

     

     

    • #3
  4. Clifford A. Brown Member
    Clifford A. Brown
    @CliffordBrown

    9thDistrictNeighbor (View Comment):

    My parents were married on Flag Day in 1952. They married at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington. Mom said that a certain Senator wanted to be married on that day, but the pastor didn’t like him and said the day wasn’t available. Senator McCarthy married the following year.

    Red, White, and Blue gifts on anniversaries? You certainly could not forget the date.

    • #4
  5. Quietpi Member
    Quietpi
    @Quietpi

    But wait!  There’s more!  

    June 14, 2020 will be the U.S. Army’s 245th birthday.  Happy birthday, sir.

    • #5
  6. Quietpi Member
    Quietpi
    @Quietpi

    Duplicate post.  Boy, that’s weird.

    • #6
  7. Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio… Member
    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio…
    @ArizonaPatriot

    This Flag Day is a sad one.  Government officials, cops, business leaders, sports stars and executives have been kneeling to disrespect the flag, in allegiance to the radical, lying BLM movement.

    • #7
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