June 14th, Flag Day

Happy Birthday Old Glory

A recent proclamation has been made for June 14th.

From the President: Note: emphasis mine

...On Flag Day and during National Flag Week, we remember those in uniform whose courage and sacrifice inspire us here at home. We also remember the rich history of one of our oldest national symbols and reflect on our duty to carry our heritage of freedom into the future.

To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, by joint resolution approved August 3, 1949, as amended (63 Stat. 492), designated June 14 of each year as "Flag Day" and requested that the President issue an annual proclamation calling for its observance and for the display of the flag of the United States on all Federal Government buildings. The Congress also requested, by joint resolution approved June 9, 1966, as amended (80 Stat. 194), that the President issue annually a proclamation designating the week in which June 14 occurs as "National Flag Week" and calling upon all citizens of the United States to display the flag during that week.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2008, as Flag Day and the week beginning June 8, 2008, as National Flag Week. I direct the appropriate officials to display the flag on all Federal Government buildings during that week, and I urge all Americans to observe Flag Day and National Flag Week by flying the Stars and Stripes from their homes and other appropriate places. I also call upon the people of the United States to observe with pride and all due ceremony those days from Flag Day through Independence Day, also set aside by the Congress (89 Stat. 211), as a time to honor America, to celebrate our heritage in public gatherings and activities, and to publicly recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

These proclamation are often made by Presidents but I had a funny thought, and I know this is old news but if Obama wins the Presidency, do you think he'll follow this or amend it?

We all know how he feels about the flag;

"a substitute for true patriotism."

but he shows no patriotism,

and argues, "'My grandfather taught me when I was 2. During the Pledge, you put your hand over your heart. During the anthem, you sing.”

Guess grandpappy was wrong:

Title 36 or the U.S. Code, which states the following:
During a rendition of the national anthem, when the flag is displayed (A) all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart; (B) men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart;

but by all means we wouldn't want to infringe on the First Amendment, he can be patriotic or unpatriotic if he wants to.

Which is why Obama seems to flips flop about it so who knows.

BTW I noticed Google didn't honor Flag day with their usual Google doodle. But hey at least they commemorated the Persian New Year - March 20, 2007

(sigh)