Flag Day, June 14, 2014, was observed at several Central Florida venues , with flags flying in profusion all around our community.
Under threatening Saturday morning skies, about fifty participants took part in an outdoor ceremony at the American Legion Post #347 on Rolling Acres Road and County Road 466 in Lady Lake. The Honor Guard presented the colors, and several weather-worn flags were ceremoniously retired and destroyed by burning , while a bugler played taps.
Inside the post, a traditional 13-fold flag ceremony was performed, and Elks Club members brought eight historical flags for viewing. Among the historic flags was a Pine Tree flag, a yellow ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ flag, a flag of the 13 colonies; a Betsy Ross flag, and banners with 15, 18, 48 and 50 stars. A brief history of the American Flag was read.
“We are proud to be the largest American Legion post in America,” 1st Vice Commander, Terry Briggs, said. “We have over 4,900 members, and keep growing along with our area’s population. Not everyone knows this, but today, the flags of our armed forces were presented in order of each service’s origination, beginning with the Army, then the Marines, the Navy, the Air Force, the Coast Guard and the Merchant Marines. “
On June 14, 1777, Flag Day was established by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. June 14 is also the birthday of the United States Army, which was officially formed in 1775. By Proclamation in 1916 , President Woodrow Wilson established June 14 as Flag Day; and that was seconded in 1949 by an Act of Congress — yet Flag Day has never been made an official federal holiday. Its observance each year remains at the discretion of the sitting President.
In 1935, Pennsylvania became the first (and the only) state to commemorate Flag Day as an official State holiday and New York celebrates Flag Day as a State holiday the second Sunday in June.
“We want everyone to know about our next big celebration, which will be on July 4th,” said Second Post Vice Commander, Tom Cruce. “Independence Day is also the birthday of this post.”
