A small lesson of our flag

In 1775 the American Revolution had broken out. The colonists fought against the British. Not under a unified flag but rather under their own flags. In June 1775, the Second Continental Congress created the Continental Army which brought different colonialists together to fight a common foe. This led to the creation of the first flag of our country, the Continental Colors.

In June 1777, the Second Continental Congress gathered and passed a resolution that our flag should have 13 stripes, alternating red and white and a union with 13 stars. Since that time, our flag has changed several times, 26 times in fact from 1777 until 1960 when a 17-year-old Ohio student turned in an assignment to his history teacher. The student, Bob Heft also sent a flag to his congressman who in turn presented it to President Eisenhauer. On July 4, 1960, President Eisenhauer with Bob Heft at his side watched the flag we know today being hoisted above the White House for the first time.

On our flag, the 13 stripes represent the original colonies, and the 50 stars represent all the states currently in our union. The red represents hardness and valor, the white purity and innocence and blue vigilance, perseverance and justice. We display our flag proudly and with honor. We follow the U.S. Flag Code to insure we display it correctly.

But what can we do if our flag becomes tattered and worn? Flag day was first established by President Woodrow Wilson on June 14, 1916, in recognition of the resolution that created our first flag in 1777. During Flag Day, we celebrate our flag, and if it is time for it to be retired, there are ceremonies for just this occasion. The first amendment allows for people to burn the American Flag in protest. In contrast, there are ceremonies that allow for the proper retirement and destruction of American Flags. Many entities across the country conduct these ceremonies and the Lewis County ELKS Lodge in Hohenwald is no different. Working along with the American Legion and the VFW, The ELKS conduct this ceremony every year on June 14.

This year, the ELKS Lodge will collect retired U.S. Flags from drop boxes and conduct a ceremony to destroy the flags properly.

Robb Morse

ELKS Lodge #2883

Esteemed Lecturing Knight

Fraternal Committee Chairman

USAF Combat Veteran (Retired)