Members of the American Legion Auxiliary gave away flags for flag day.
The Ronald Reagan American Legion Auxiliary Post 283 gave away 500 flags at the Village Green on June 12.
The Auxiliary had received permission to set up on the corner, and afterwards President of the Village Green Board, Marge Gold said, “Please let Auxiliary members know what a great job they did this morning. There were so many people with their flag and a smile on their face.”
As they gave away flags, members explained about Flag Day on June 14.
The Auxiliary is hoping that everyone will also put a flag on their door or on their lawn for the Fourth of July celebration – or bring a flag to the parade and wave it as the procession goes by.
One person refused a flag because he said he didn’t like what it stood for. The Auxiliary president reminded him “It’s because of this flag, that you have the freedom to have that view and to say it.”
Another person said he didn’t want a flag because Nationalism is never good. Waving a flag and saying you believe in the constitution and the bill of rights, doesn’t mean that auxiliary was saying they fervently believe this nation is superior (nationalism).
There is a difference between nationalism and patriotism.
According to the International Journal of Education & Literacy Studies “While nationalism emphasizes a unity of cultural past with inclusion of the language and heritage, patriotism is based on love towards people with a greater emphasis on values and beliefs.”
So, residents, you’re not a fanatic if you wave a flag. Know that you’re simply stating you’re happy to have these basic freedoms: speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government.
Village Green President Marge Gold (right) enjoys watching the little ones, many of whom received their first flag.
Flag day goes back to the American Revolution, when most regiments had their own flags.
In June 1775, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to create a Continental Army, which eventually led to the creation of the first American Flag.
The red and white flag of alternating strips and a Union Jack in the corner, seemed too similar to the British flag.
Two years later, during the Second Continental Congress when the country’s founders were drafting the Articles of Confederation, a resolution was passed, that stated the “flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson officially established June 14 as Flag Day.
In the 1950s, it seemed certain that Alaska would be admitted, so designers began retooling it.
A 17-year-old Ohio student named Bob Heft borrowed his mother’s sewing machine, disassembled his family’s 48-star flag, and stitched on 50 stars in a proportional pattern. He turned it in for a history project, explaining he thought Hawaii would be added soon.
Heft sent the flag to his congressman, Walter Moeller, who presented it to President Eisenhower after Alaska and Hawaii joined the Union.
The History Channel reported that “Eisenhower selected Heft’s design, and on July 4, 1960, the president and the high school student stood together as the 50-star flag was raised for the first time. Heft’s teacher promptly changed his grade from a B- to an A.”
Several of the vendors at the farmers market waved flags to help celebrate the upcoming Flag Day.
Wow! What an issue!
Chockful of interesting and informative matter: the homeless impact on senior voting in Westchester, fire concerns in the Palisades, the wonderful photos of the winning Rockies, all the historical background in the Centennial Publication, and especially the distinctions made in the article about the flag giveaway. Thank you, Sue. I feel like you gave me back my flag. I am a patriot, not a nationalist!