Memorial Day Flag Contest | Win a Free American Flag

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Celebrating Memorial Day

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Find out the meaning behind celebrating Memorial Day and plenty of fun and patriotic ways to spend the day. Why do we celebrate Memorial Day? This American holiday, always observed the last Monday in May, is meant to honor all the men and women who have given their lives while serving in the United States military. The holiday was originally called Decoration Day and came about a couple years following the Civil War. However, it was not until 1971 that Memorial Day became an official holiday. Flags are also to be displayed at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day. After that, the proper flag etiquette calls for them to be raised to full height. Half-staff flags are an extra way of honoring all our fallen heroes. If you have any more questions regarding displaying flags on Memorial Day, we have more information for you in a previous Memorial Day blog post. How do you plan on celebrating Memorial Day? Here are a few ideas. Some people honor fallen soldiers by visiting cemeteries where loved ones are buried. If you really want to show your respect, try placing a small American flag by the graves of veterans or special grave markers …

921 American Flags Fly for Fallen Heroes

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During the opening ceremony for the Field of Honor, 921 American flags flew in honor of fallen US heroes. Over 900 U.S. flags lined the entire parade route at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in order to honor military troops. The 921 flags to be exact were part of the opening ceremony for the sixth annual Field of Honor. David Kuhn honored his father he never knew during the Saturday ceremony. He placed his own US flag at the entrance of the Field. Kuhn was born the day his father was killed in World War II after his B-17 bomber was shot down over Germany. But his story was one of 10 that were told during the patriotic event. Paul Galloway, the executive director of the museum, said he gets such an awesome feeling when he looks out over 900+ flags blowing in the wind. But even though the ceremony is meant to celebrate and honor the sacrifices for the country, there was still a slight sadness among everyone remembering a lost loved one. The Field of Honor celebration comes just before Memorial Day, a holiday also dedicated to honoring all US military members. If you have a fallen …

The History of Armed Forces Day

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Every third Saturday in May, the United States celebrates Armed Forces Day. Learn more about where the tradition comes from and why we celebrate the day. Armed Forces Day is a lesser known holiday around the United States but still a very important day that deserves honor. But, where does the holiday stem from and why do we celebrate it? This year, the holiday falls on May 18th, 2013. Armed Forces Day dates back to 1949 when the secretary of defense Louis Johnson announced its creation. The first official holiday landed on May 20th, 1950. The holiday was meant to replace all the separate military holidays such as Army, Navy, and Air Force Days. The holiday began when all the military branches unified under one department – the Department of Defense. President Harry Truman made an official speech announcing the holiday where he “praised the work of the military services at home and across the seas.” He also established a theme for the first holiday as “Teamed for Defense.” Along with honoring the military and the work they do for our country, Armed Forces Day holds another purpose. The holiday is also meant to be an educational tool for US …

American Flag Mural Dedicated to Triple Amputee Soldier

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Well-known patriotic artist, Scott LoBaido, agreed to paint a giant American flag mural to honor an injured US soldier. In downtown Tampa, Florida, one man is creating a new and unique dedication to an injured US soldier. Paintbrushes in hand, world-renowned artist Scott LoBaido began turning the north wall of the Tampa Firefighters museum into a dedication like no other. His one-of-a-kind American flag mural is meant to honor a triple amputee American soldier. LoBaido has now travelled to all 50 states, painting murals to support the troops along the way. He has never personally served in the military, but has many family members who have dedicated themselves to the country. His specialty is American flags. LoBaido believes, “It’s the most meaningful, powerful, the most recognizable work of art in the world.” This particular Tampa American flag mural is dedicated to Sergeant Mike Nicholson, who sadly lost his left arm and both legs when an IED exploded on him nearly two years ago. LoBaido isn’t the only one working to honor and help Nicholson. The Gary Sinise Foundation and Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation are both in progress of raising enough funds to build the Sergeant a home in …

US Flag-Covered Spire Added to NYC World Trade Center Roof

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In New York City, a US flag-covered spire was hoisted high to the new World Trade Center roof to help complete a symbolic building. Flapping in the cool breeze, a US flag that adorned the last piece of silver spire was raised to the very top of the World Trade Center on Thursday, May 2. The construction workers cheered as the stars and stripes were slowly hoisted up. The last two segments of the 408-foot spire will remain on the construction platform and draped with the American flag for a few weeks until the whole needle is ready to be permanently installed. When all is said and done, the trade center will symbolically soar 1,776 feet high, which is meant to reference the birth of the nation in 1776. The spire consists of 18 separate parts and weighs 758 tons. A barge brought it to Manhattan many months ago. Steven Plate, the man overseeing construction of the building said, “It will give a tremendous indication to people around the entire region, and the world, that we’re back and better than ever.” The US flag-covered spire isn’t only for show. With a beacon at its very peak, the tall needle with …

WW II Veteran Wants to See More Flags

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After urging city officials to fly more flags, one WW II veteran gets closer to his flag raising goal. Jim Walsh, 87, has one goal for his city: fly more American flags. After talking to city officials, the WW II veteran inched closer to his ultimate goal. Last week he announced the creation of the “U.S. American Flag Committee Fund,” as he stood outside the police station. The small event drew many veterans, active military members, and other supporters in the community. Every person held an American flag while Walsh led the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Walsh believes, “The American flag is our symbol of unity. The responsibility of remembrance falls to all of us, not just those serving in uniform, but every man, woman, and child who woke up this morning in the land of the free.” The veteran served in the Army during the Battle of the Bulge. Walsh has already received approval to install 32 U.S. flags along the Market Street Bridge, which will cost about $1,000. He is hoping to gather enough donations to cover the cost. A special fund has been set up to help aid that. Walsh also wants to have …

Bay Men’s Club Provides Free Flags to Businesses

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The Bay Men’s Club decided to provide, put up and maintain free flags to businesses throughout Bay Village. The Bay Men’s Club wanted to do something patriotic for their city of Bay Village, Ohio and the local businesses. They decided to establish their own free flags program throughout their city. The project will provide, erect, and maintain several U.S. flags around the city at different business locations. The club is now seeking donations for the project so they can give the flags to the business for free. Club organizers suspect about 36 flags would be put up around the city’s main shopping plazas at participating offices and stores. The flags will be set up by Memorial Day and will fly until Labor Day in September. At that time, Bay Club members will take them down and safely store them until next year. Currently, the Bay Men’s Club is making a list of potential locations around Bay Village that would quality for their free flag services. They will also take requests from any business owners who wish to be a part of the patriotic program. If your business or office needs a flag, check out CVSFlags.com. CVS Flags specializes in a …

Flagpole Guidelines

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Just in time for Memorial Day – Flagpole guidelines regarding the height of a flagpole appropriate for various sized flags. Since the early days of this country, the U.S. Flag Code has outlined proper flag etiquette on everything from when, where, and how you should fly an American flag. But, did you know there are also general guidelines for the appropriate height of a flagpole? American flags come in all sizes, from a handheld stick flag, to a large flag that covers an entire football field. The United States Flag Code suggests appropriate sizes flagpoles for various sized American flags. Use this list to ensure your flagpole matches your flag!   Small home flags: 3 x 5 foot American flag– 15 to 20 feet high flagpole 4 x 6 foot American flag– 20 to 25 feet high flagpole Medium sized flags: 5 x 8 foot American flag– 25 feet high flagpole 6 x 10 foot (up to 8 x 12 foot) American flag– 40 to 45 feet high flagpole 8 x 12 foot (up to 10 x 15 foot) American flags – 50 feet high flagpole Large, commercially flown flags: 10 x 15 or 10 x 19 American flags – …

Mystery Patriot Plants American Flags

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Late one night, a mystery patriot planted U.S. flags all around the neighborhoods of Sandwich, Illinois. In Sandwich, Illinois, Dan Kelleher woke up last Thursday like any other day. Except when he stepped outside to grab the paper, he noticed a small American flag planted right next to his mailbox. And when he took a drive around the whole block, he saw every house had a stick flag placed neatly next to their mailbox. Kelleher told the news crew Friday, “Then I drove around the whole block and I said, ‘Wow, they’re at all the houses.’ We want to thank whoever did this, because it was a thoughtful, beautiful gesture.” Unfortunately, the mystery patriot who planted the 57 flags in front of houses is yet to be identified. Residents of the community figure the secret flag-planter must have acted during the night since nobody saw anything. Another resident, Terry Adams, expressed her gratitude with, “It put a smile on my face. We do have a great neighborhood.” The flags appeared just 10 days after two bombs exploded at the Boston Marathon. The Sandwich area is home to many firefighters and police officers, who were all deeply touched by the act …