Flag Day

I’m not sure when I learned June 14th is ‘Flag Day’.

I think it was because of an afternoon program in the Chicagoland area, Garfield Goose and Friends on WGN-TV. See picture above. They ran an activity one spring about a special decoder ring you could write in for, and each afternoon they would put a ‘message’ on the screen for you to decode. Can’t you imagine the appeal for grade school kids?

I didn’t send in for the ring, but I remember on June 14th’s program they talked about it being ‘Flag Day’ and then when the message was put up on the screen I figured out it said “Happy Flag Day”. At least I’m pretty sure it did. I should have kept those letters and worked on figuring out the rest of the alphabet over the rest of the days, but nah.

Having an aunt and mother in DAR you learn a few other things about ‘flags’ in general. Like they are supposed to be burned if they get old or dirty. (But heaven forbid the protestors of the sixties burn them.) And the positions they are supposed to be in when you hang them against a wall. (Always seems counterintuitive that one.) And they aren’t supposed to be displayed outside at night unless they are lit. (Flag pole and a light?)

And they aren’t supposed to be used in other formats.

Seems kind of extensive to worry about rules for a symbol, but for some people it is intense. Those that ‘fly’ the flag the most seem to be the ones who ‘disrespect’ (according to flag etiquette) the flag the most…back of a pickup, on shirt/hat/shoes, all no-no’s according to the rules. And as I said it seems kind of excessive. If you are interested in more, here is a link.

Me, I like (love maybe) Denmark’s flag. Don’t get me wrong, the American flag is okay as a symbol, but in terms of beauty, Denmark has most flags beat.

Theirs is a flag that is simple and elegant, all in one. The standard form is rectangular (like ours) with a red ground and a white cross horizontally down the middle. They fly them everywhere as you drive through the country. But my favorite form is a long triangular pennant at the top of a tall pole. It just kind of winds its way in the breeze like a red and white snake. I can’t come up with a better word than snake. It is cooler than that. It just meanders through the air and wow! And the Danes are just chill about it’s use too. Something we could use.

Anyrate Happy Flag Day!