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    The history of National Flag Day Q&A with Lt. Col. Timothy Silkowski

    National Flag Day History

    Photo By Laurie Pearson | National Flag Day History Q&A with Lt.Col. Silkowski (Photo courtesy USMC).... read more read more

    BARSTOW, CA, UNITED STATES

    06.23.2016

    Story by Laurie Pearson  

    Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow

    Editor’s Note: June 14 is National Flag Day every year, commemorating the day the first flag resolution was passed in Congress. In honor of the day history aficionado, Lt. Col. Timothy Silkowski, director of Fleet Support Division aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow’s Yermo Annex, offers insight into the history of the American flag and National Flag Day.

    Q: What drew you to study history so thoroughly?
    A: Our founding fathers fervently studied their history, and they considered all its historical significance while designing this new, experimental nation. They were all well aware of the pitfalls of unchecked power along with the tyranny that resulted - as happened with the Roman Empire. They understood the pros and cons of democracy; therefore, they created a Republic - basically a democracy with checks and balances which guaranteed the rights and freedom for all people. With the French Revolution in their rear view mirror, they understood the horrors that the masses could inflict on the minorities in the name of democracy. By studying their history, they designed a nation that would adapt and survive far into the future. Likewise, we as a people must stay true to our history in order to not squander what's been given to us - our rights and our freedom.

    Q: What compels you to study military/Marine Corps history?
    A: (There are) two compelling reasons for studying history and USMC history in particular. First, if you don't know from where you came, it's doubtful you will know where you're going. Second, Marine Corps history is a long legacy of tough-as-nails Americans who didn't know how to give up a fight. Basically, current Marines fall into a long legacy of winners, and this should motivate every current and future Marine to live up to that legacy of champions.

    Q: What is the history of the American flag creation and colors?
    A: There are a lot of myths and folklore concerning our flag's creation - some based in fact, some not, and a whole lot in between. For example, we're all taught that the thirteen original horizontal bars (stripes) were designed to signify the thirteen original British colonies - true, but not always the case. Interestingly, the flag flown over Fort McHenry, which inspired Francis Scott Key, had 15 stars and 15 bars - two extra bars for America's two newest states - Kentucky and Vermont. For a while, the number of stars and bars stagnated as new states were added to the Union until (the joining of the 20th state). At that time, Congress reduced the number of bars back to 13 and increased the number of stars to 20.
    The five pointed star, set in a field of blue, was originally designed to signify a new constellation in the sky. The only problem was that there was no early consensus respecting the geometry of star placement within the constellation. In fact, many early flags had six-pointed stars, and it wasn't until two decades following the Civil War that we finally see consistent constellation patterns in the field of blue.
    Why red, white, and blue? All folklore aside, the simplest answer is to look at the flag of the Empire we fought to secede from - the Union Jack. We started as a British colony, and many of the earliest "Continental Color" designs incorporated the Union Jack in lieu of the constellation of stars we're used to seeing today.

    Q: Where did the nickname "Old Glory" come from?
    A: The term "Old Glory" is credited to Captain William Driver. As a man of the sea, he was presented with a very large 24-star flag as a gift in 1831 for his assistance in rescuing the remaining mutineers/survivors of the HMS Bounty. Upon first unfurling his flag to the ocean breeze, Capt Driver loudly exclaimed "Old Glory!" Upon retirement, Captain Driver moved inland to Nashville Tennessee. Taking his treasured flag with him, he proudly displayed it on special occasions, such as the 4th of July, for the entire town to see - at least up until Tennessee seceded from the Union in 1861. The Confederates, knowing of Capt Driver's treasured "Old Glory," ransacked his house, on multiple occasions, in an attempt to locate and destroy the flag. Fortunately, it remained securely hidden until February 25, 1862 when Union forces captured Nashville and raised a rather puny version of the National Ensign over the capital building. Feeling liberated, the 60-year- old Driver raced home to retrieve his beloved flag and returned to the flag tower where he proceeded to replace the small National Ensign with his own. Upon seeing his magnificent "Old Glory" unfurled in the breeze, the Sixth Ohio Regiment commenced with cheering and salutes to Capt Driver's "Old Glory." They were so moved by Capt Driver's devotion to his flag that the regiment adopted the nickname "Old Glory" as their own.

    Q: What is the significance of National Flag Day? When was the day founded, by whom and why?
    A: June 14th was officially enacted as National Flag Day in 1949 by an act of Congress and signed by President Harry S. Truman, but the celebrations started long before. The Fourth of July was traditionally celebrated with patriotic displays of the red, white, and blue; but the movement to celebrate the "Flag's" birthday seems to have originated in the 1880's New England public school systems. After all, the Second Continental Congress, on June 14, 1777, passed the Flag Resolution stating that the flag of the 13 United States would consist of 13 alternate stripes of red and white and that the union would consist of 13 stars in a field of blue representing a new constellation. What started as an educational celebration in the public school system soon spread to several States and municipalities. After three decades of growing popularity, President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed "Flag Day" in 1916; and today, "Flag Day" is celebrated across 50 United States and its multiple territories.

    Q: What is proper etiquette for the flag today?
    • Your flag should be lit at all times (sunlight by day, artificial light by night).
    • The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform (except for a few official-use exceptions), it shouldn't be used as draperies, nor should it be altered in any way.
    • The American Flag should only be displayed with the Stars in the upper left-hand corner, flying a flag upside down means you are in distress.
    • The flag should be cleaned or mended as needed, and once the flag is past its service life, it should be destroyed by burning it in an honorable method (you can usually contact your local VFW for assistance).
    • When lowering the American Flag, at no time should it come into contact with the ground.
    • When it is displayed from the staff with another flag, the flag of the United States must always be at the top.
    -30-

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 06.23.2016
    Date Posted: 06.27.2016 13:03
    Story ID: 202538
    Location: BARSTOW, CA, US

    Web Views: 306
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