Long may it wave…

Today - June 14 - is Flag Day in the United States. It celebrates the adoption, in 1777, by the Second Continental Congress establishing the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States.

While the original flag had 13 stars and 13 stripes, representing the 13 colonies that were part of the American Revolution. It has changed over the years, with a star added for each state admitted to the union, and now includes 50 stars. The colors were chosen to represent American values. Red symbolizes hardiness and valor. White symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice. Woodrow Wilson, by proclamation, established June 14 as Flag Day in 1916, and the U.S. Congress established National Flag Day in 1946.

Here are some rules for displaying the American Flag: The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.

The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free

The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.

The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.

The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.

The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations.

The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.