Flag Day 2012

Today is Flag Day. Originally conceived as a day marking the anniversary of the official adoption of the American flag by the Continental Congress (June 14, 1777), it has come to be a day when all of us are encouraged to show the flag.

I’ve always enjoyed the fact that many, many businesses fly the flag every day in the three or four blocks on River Road close to my office in Rumson. I’m not sure why, but it gives me a good feeling inside.

After putting up the flag at my own house, I drove to the office and was a little surprised that not many homes had put up the flag today. Maybe it was because people have a lot on their minds in June — graduations, weddings, anniversaries, etc. Or maybe it’s because Flag Day isn’t an official holiday, and there isn’t a big buildup to the day in the week or so before June 14th. In any case, if you didn’t remember to fly the flag today, you have another chance in a few weeks on July 4th, Independence Day.

There’s no reason why you can’t fly the flag every day, but if you have a flag you certainly should try to fly it on major holidays. Just remember, whether you’re displaying it vertically or horizontally, the stars on the field of blue are always in the upper left-hand corner when viewed by someone facing the flag.

I’m feeling patriotic today- I wonder if Netflix has the George M. Cohan Story for instant viewing. For now I'll just hum a few bars of "Grand Old Flag."

Len